What Is Substance Abuse Simple Definition?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Definition of substance abuse

: excessive use of a drug (such as alcohol, narcotics, or cocaine) : use of a drug without medical justification.

What are types of substance abuse?

  • Prescription medicines that are overused or taken by someone whom they weren’t prescribed to.
  • Illegal drugs such as cannabis, LSD, ecstasy, heroin, and cocaine.
  • Alcohol such as wine, gin, vodka, etc.
  • Solvents such as aerosols and glue.
  • Novel Psychoactive Substances (or “legal highs”).

What are the three most common forms of substance abuse?

  • Marijuana Use. Marijuana remains the most commonly used illegal drug: Approximately 80 percent of current illicit drug users are marijuana or hashish users. ...
  • Cocaine Use. ...
  • Heroin Use. ...
  • Methamphetamine Use. ...
  • Nicotine Use (Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco) ...
  • Inhalant Use. ...
  • Hallucinogen Use. ...
  • Anabolic Steroid Use.

What causes substance abuse?

A person’s genes, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional distress, anxiety, depression , and environmental stress can all be factors. Many who develop a substance use problem have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental problem.

What is considered a substance?

A substance is simply a pure form of matter . In other words, a substance is matter than contains only one type of atom or molecule. Pure substances can be further divided into two sub-categories: elements and compounds.

What is the difference between drug abuse and substance abuse?

One can abuse a drug without having an addiction, but abuse can lead to addiction. Substance abuse is characterized by the destructive use of a drug, leading to problems in the user’s everyday life. Performance at work or school suffers and legal or financial problems arise as a result of the drug use.

What are the 6 types of substance abuse disorders?

  • Opioid Use Disorder.
  • Marijuana Use Disorder.
  • Nicotine Use Disorder.
  • Stimulant Use Disorder.
  • Sedative Use Disorder.
  • Hallucinogen Use Disorder.
  • Alcohol Use Disorder.

What is substance example?

A substance is matter which has a specific composition and specific properties. Every pure element is a substance. Every pure compound is a substance. Examples of substances: Iron is an element and hence is also a substance. ... It is a mixture of two substances – sodium chloride and water.

What are 4 types of drugs?

  • stimulants (e.g. cocaine)
  • depressants (e.g. alcohol)
  • opium-related painkillers (e.g. heroin)
  • hallucinogens (e.g. LSD)

How does substance use affect the body?

Drug use can also result in long-term health outcomes that include: harm to organs and systems in your body , such as your throat, stomach, lungs, liver, pancreas, heart, brain, nervous system. cancer (such as lung cancer from inhaling drugs)

What are the 8 types of drugs?

  • Stimulants.
  • Inhalants.
  • Cannabinoids.
  • Depressants.
  • Opioids.
  • Steroids.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Prescription drugs.

What can you do to stop drug abuse?

  1. Understand how substance abuse develops. ...
  2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. ...
  3. Seek help for mental illness. ...
  4. Examine the risk factors. ...
  5. Keep a well-balanced life.

What are the 7 types of drugs?

  • (1) Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants. CNS depressants slow down the operations of the brain and the body. ...
  • (2) CNS Stimulants. ...
  • (3) Hallucinogens. ...
  • (4) Dissociative Anesthetics. ...
  • (5) Narcotic Analgesics. ...
  • (6) Inhalants. ...
  • (7) Cannabis.

What are the 4 main effects of drugs?

  • depression.
  • anxiety.
  • panic disorders.
  • increased aggression.
  • paranoia.
  • hallucinations.

What are the impacts of drug abuse?

Some of the adverse effects of drug abuse are: 1) Deterioration of physical health : Different drugs have varied and serious direct physical and psychological consequences such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, abnormal body sensation, seizures, suicidal behaviors and even sudden death.

What are the 3 groups of drugs?

  • depressants – slow down the function of the central nervous system.
  • hallucinogens – affect your senses and change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things.
  • stimulants – speed up the function of the central nervous system.

How do you say no to drugs?

  1. Look the person in the eye.
  2. In a firm voice, tell the person you don’t want to drink or use drugs. ...
  3. Give a reason why you don’t want to drink or use drugs. ...
  4. Ask the person not to ask you to drink or use drugs again. ...
  5. If you notice that someone does have drugs, leave the area.
Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.