Substance Abuse is defined as what type of behavior?

The definition of substance abuse centers around a maladaptive pattern of use that causes significant distress or impairment. This means that when individuals engage in substance use, it is often beyond a mere choice or casual habit; it leads to various negative consequences in their lives. These can manifest in social, occupational, legal, or interpersonal troubles.

Substance abuse is characterized by the misuse of alcohol or drugs that adversely affects an individual's daily functioning and overall well-being. This can involve an inability to fulfill obligations, difficulty in relationships, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms or cravings, illustrating the distress associated with this behavior.

In contrast, the other options suggest healthier behaviors or minimizations of impact, which do not align with the definition of substance abuse. Positive coping mechanisms, controlled use, and recreational use imply some level of control or positive benefit, which are not representative of the distress and impairment associated with substance abuse.