Substance use, abuse, and addiction

Addiction is a state of psychological and/or physical dependence on the use of drugs or other substances, such as alcohol, or on activities or behaviors. The term is often used as an equivalent term for substance use disorder or substance dependence and can be applied to non-substance-related behavioral addictions, such as sex, exercise, and gambling.

Substance abuse is a pattern of compulsive substance use marked by recurrent significant social, occupational, legal, or interpersonal adverse consequences, with nine associated drug classes: alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, phencyclidines, and sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology definitions of addiction and substance abuse

Resources from APA

Massachusetts v. Oz

This case discusses whether a federal rule unlawfully narrows Medicaid’s categorical exemption from community-engagement requirements for individuals with substance use disorders

Behavioral intervention brings new momentum to substance use treatment

Contingency management is highly effective. New policies and programs are increasing access

Special collection: Behavioral Addiction to Technology

Articles explore tech-mediated interaction and its link to “addiction”

Incentivizing recovery: Why contingency management works to treat addiction

Lara Coughlin, PhD, and Michael McDonell, PhD, discuss why contingency management works and the psychological principles it’s based on

More resources about substance use

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Substance use disorders

APA Services advocates for policies, programs, and funding to improve the prevention and treatment of opioid and other substance use disorders, including nonpharmacological interventions for pain management.

Division

Society for Psychopharmacology and Substance Use

APA’s Division 28 promotes teaching, research, and dissemination of information regarding the effects of drugs on behavior.

Division

Society of Addiction Psychology

APA’s Division 50 promotes advances in research, professional training, and clinical practice within the broad range of addictive behaviors including problematic use of alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs and disorders involving gambling, eating, sexual behavior, or spending.