Substance misuse refers to the overuse of substances, particularly drugs or alcohol. Although no universally agreed-upon definition exists, a commonly referenced description comes from the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) by the American Psychiatric Association. According to DSM-IV, substance abuse is characterized by a harmful pattern of use that leads to significant impairment or distress, demonstrated by one or more of the following within a year:- Substance use causing a failure to meet critical responsibilities at work, school, or home, such as frequent absences, poor performance, or neglect of family duties.- Repeated use in physically dangerous situations, like driving or operating machinery while impaired.- Ongoing legal issues related to substance use, such as arrests for disorderly conduct.- Continued use despite ongoing social or interpersonal issues that are caused or worsened by the substance, like marital arguments or physical altercations.Importantly, these symptoms must not fulfill the criteria for Substance Dependence for this type of substance.
