|
Use |
Abuse |
Dependence |
Drink/use to be social and on social
occasions (social or recreational use) |
Drink/use for
the effect of feeling
drunk or high |
Drink/use
because of a compulsion ("I have to") |
Occasionally drink/use for the
intoxicating effects |
Drink/use
frequently, as
often as several times per week |
Drink/use
constantly, often daily |
|
Drink/use
occasionally, for example a couple times
a month to a couple of times per year |
Frequently drink/use to intoxication and
to the point of significant impairment |
Almost always drink/use to intoxication
and use to the point of significant
impairment |
|
Typically drink
1-2 drinks per occasion, sometimes more;
may leave drinks unfinished |
Have experienced at least one life
problem associated with use of drugs or
alcohol (school, work, family problems) |
Drink/use to avoid withdrawal |
|
Drink/use to
intoxication only occasionally; episodes
of intoxication do not interfere with
life functioning |
Continue to drink/use despite life
problems associated with using |
Have experienced numerous life problems
in several areas of life functioning and
continue to use despite these problems |
|
Have never
experienced life problems as a result of
drinking/using |
Are starting to experienced increased
tolerance to alcohol and drugs of abuse |
Suffer from the disease of addiction,
marked by loss of control |
| |
Often drink/use alone in order to avoid
hassles from family or friends |
Have marked tolerance to alcohol and
drugs of abuse |
|
Drink/use on the weekends in order to
avoid disruptions to work or school
schedules |
May experience withdrawal when use is
discontinued |
|
Engage in illegal activity related to
use; arrests/legal problems resulting
from use |
Hide drinking/using from family and
friends |
|
*Adapted from
class notes, Substance Abuse, Dr.
Arthur Cox, Nova Southeastern University |
Self-destructive or dangerous acts occur
while using or as a result of using
(i.e. driving under the influence,
indiscriminate or unprotected sex,
engaging in fights or other acts of
violence/aggression) |
|
