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Substance use
Definition
Substance use is the continued use of alcohol, illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medicines with negative consequences. These consequences may involve:
- Problems at work, school, home or in interpersonal relationships
- Problems with the law
- Health problems
- Physical risks that come with using drugs in dangerous situations
Substances that are commonly used include:
Alternative Names
Substance abuse; Illicit drug abuse; Narcotic abuse; Hallucinogen abuse
References
American Psychiatric Association. Substance-related and addictive disorders. In: American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed, text revision. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2022.
Weiss RD, Liebschutz JM. Drug use disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 365.
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