Substance abuse

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Substance abuse

Substance abuse is a pattern of repeated use of alcohol, drugs, or both even though this use causes unpleasant or distressing events in the user's life. You have a substance abuse problem if one or more of the following have occurred within the last 12 months:

Substance use interferes with your ability to carry through with your obligations at home, school, or work. This includes:
- Repeated absences from work or school or poor performance because you are drunk, high, or hung over.
- Getting kicked out of school; getting fired.
- Neglecting your family or home.
You repeatedly use alcohol, drugs, or both in dangerous situations, such as while driving a car or a boat, or operating machinery.
You have legal problems related to substance abuse, such as arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) or disorderly conduct.
You continue to use alcohol, drugs, or both despite social or personal problems caused or made worse by use of the substance. This includes everything from arguments with a family member about drug use to physical fights with strangers.

Credits

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Updated	January 18, 2008

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Last updated:	January 18, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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