North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
Providers of MH/DD/SA Services
What is Substance Abuse
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, a 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
Substance abuse is sometimes used as a synonym for drug abuse, drug addiction, and chemical dependency, but actually refers to the use of substances in a manner outside socio-cultural conventions. All use of illicit drugs and all use of licit drugs in a manner not dictated by conventions (e.g. according to physician's orders) is abuse according to this definition.
