Substance Abuse and Dependence

1. Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others.
2. Drug dependence is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration, and which results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug use.
3. Drug addiction, a distinct concept from substance dependence, is defined as compulsive, out-of-control drug use, despite negative consequences.