Alcohol or Other Drug Use

Substance Abuse consists of:

1. failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home such as continual absences, poor work performance, poor grades in school
2. recurrent substance use where it is physically hazardous such as driving while under the influence
3. recurrent substance-related legal problems
4. continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems due to the substance like physical fights or arguments about the consequences of its use

Substance Dependence includes:

1. tolerance, where there is a diminished effect or an excessive need to increase intake to get intoxicated
2. withdrawal, where cessation after heavy and extended use leads significant physical and psychological distress