What exactly is Substance Misuse?

Substance Misuse The Department of Health uses the term Substance Misuse to describe the taking of alcohol/drugs in a manner that causes harm to the individual, others in their lives or the wider community.

Alcohol/Drug Dependence is a recognised condition and refers to a cluster of physical, behavioural, and mental occurrences. The use of alcohol/drugs takes on a much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that once had greater value.

A key characteristic of alcohol/drug dependence is the desire (often strong, sometimes overpowering) to take alcohol/drugs despite experiences that advise the contrary. A return to alcohol/drugs use after a period of abstinence can lead to a more rapid reappearance of historic issues. Other characteristics are noted as: -

A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take alcohol/drugs

Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behaviour in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use

A physiological withdrawal state when substance use has ceased or been reduced as evidenced by the characteristic withdrawal symptoms

Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the substance are required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in substance-dependent individuals who may take daily doses sufficient to incapacitate or kill nontolerant users)

Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of substance use

Increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects

Persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences