Is drug abuse the same as drug prescription?

Answer 1

No. According to the DSM-IV-TR, substance abuse refers to substance use that results in significant impairment or distress that is manifested by at least one of the following:

• Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
  • Ex: frequent absences, job loss, failing grades, etc.
• Recurrent use in situations where it is physically hazardous.
  • Ex: Driving while intoxicated, operating heavy machinery, etc.
• Recurrent legal problems related to substance use.
  • Ex: Drug possession charges, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, other legal problems stemming from use.
• Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems exacerbated by use.
  • Ex: Domestic violence, loss of friends, etc.

Substance dependence is a pattern of recurrent substance use resulting in signifcant impairment or distress manifested in at least 3 of the following ways:

• Tolerance
• Withdrawal (physical or psychological)
• Substance is taken in larger amounts or over a larger period than intended
• Persistent desire or successful efforts to cut down or control use
• Significant amount of time spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover
• Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
• Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having persistent problems related to use.
  • Ex: Depressive episodes related to use.

Basically, substance dependence is substance abuse with tolerance, withdrawal and/or compulsive use. (That's an oversimplification but is almost always true.)

If a person uses substances but does not meet the above criteria for abuse or dependence, the correct labels may be "use" or "misuse".

Answer 2

No. Drug abuse is using drugs the wrong way, like taking too many or taking dangerous ones and becoming addicted. A drug prescription is an instruction from a doctor to a chemist to give the person particular drugs, outlining the correct doses.