Substance abuse refers to the overindulgence in and dependence on a stimulant, depressant, chemical substance, herb (plant) or fungus leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical health or mental health, or the welfare of others.

The disorder is characterized by a pattern of continued pathological use of a medication, non-medically indicated drug or toxin, that results in repeated adverse social consequences related to drug use, such as failure to meet work, family, or school obligations, interpersonal conflicts, or legal problems. There are on-going debates as to the exact distinctions between substance abuse and substance dependence, but current practice standard distinguishes between the two by defining substance dependence in terms of physiological and behavioral symptoms of substance use, and substance abuse in terms of the social consequences of substance use.

Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Medically, physiologic dependence requires the development of tolerance leading to withdrawal symptoms. Both abuse and dependence are distinct from addiction which involves a compulsion to continue using the substance despite the negative consequences, and may or may not involve chemical dependency. Dependence almost always implies abuse, but abuse frequently occurs without dependence, particularly when an individual first begins to abuse a substance. Dependence involves physiological processes while substance abuse reflects a complex interaction between the individual, the abused substance and society. ^*

More on [ Substance abuse ]

Substance Abuse - Twitter Search

RT @kenradio: According to a study, married people are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse - http://bit. ...
ChristineLuong (Christine Luong) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:05:36 -0000
RT @kenradio: According to a study, married people are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and substance abuse - http://bit. ...
after these 3 finals tmrw, substance abuse will be my problem for at least a week #believedat
KingOfDaHill4 (SH) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:01:09 -0000
after these 3 finals tmrw, substance abuse will be my problem for at least a week #believedat
Here is too all of those who are in need of substance abuse treatement http://www.drug-rehab-tennessee.com
created1 (Perry Chasteen) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:54:57 -0000
Here is too all of those who are in need of substance abuse treatement http://www.drug-rehab-tennessee.com
Pittman played for #Texans from 2003-07. He was suspended four games in 2007 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
ChronicleTexans (Chronicle Texans) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:50:15 -0000
Pittman played for #Texans from 2003-07. He was suspended four games in 2007 for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.
@peacelovelc haha.okay.and think about this : substance abuse counselor?
sonommy (Sean Watkins) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:20:18 -0000
@peacelovelc haha.okay.and think about this : substance abuse counselor?
Teen marijuana use tilts up, while some drugs decline in use http://www.healthcanal.com/substance-abuse/4312.html
Healthcanal (Elizabeth) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 16:14:26 -0000
Teen marijuana use tilts up, while some drugs decline in use http://www.healthcanal.com/substance-abuse/4312.html

Subscribe to Substance_Abuse RSS feed