substance abuse
noun
long-term, pathological use of alcohol or drugs, characterized by daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and impairment in social or occupational functioning; broadly, alcohol or drug addiction.
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Nearby words
- subspinale,
- subspontaneous,
- subst.,
- substage,
- substance,
- substance abuse disorder,
- substance p,
- substandard,
- substantia,
- substantia alba
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for substance abuse
substance abuse
n.
Excessive use of a potentially addictive substance, especially one that may modify body functions, such as alcohol and drugs.chemical abuse
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.