The following definitions intentionally are not in alphabetical order to improve clarity.
Substance Use: The use of any psychoactive substance that may or may not interfere with the individual’s mental status and functioning in key life domains and may or may not present significant risks to one’s health. Substance Use may, but does not necessarily, meet the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for a substance use disorder or current International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria for substance abuse or dependence.
Substance Misuse: The use of any psychoactive substance that either impacts the individual’s mental status or functioning in a key life domain or presents a significant health risk. Substance Misuse generally does not meet the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for a substance use disorder or current International Classification of Diseases (ICD) criteria for substance abuse or dependence. Substance Misuse may progress to a Substance Use Disorder and should be addressed in a patient’s mental health treatment.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD): The use of any psychoactive substance meeting current DSM criteria for a substance use disorder (or current ICD criteria for substance abuse or dependence). Drugs of abuse include alcohol as well as other psychoactive substances.
Addictive Disorder: a chronic dysfunction of the brain system that involves functional changes in reward, motivation, stress, and memory, characterized by the repeated use of alcohol or other drugs, or repetitive engagement in a behavior (e.g. gambling, sex, or shopping) despite negative consequences.
Co-occurring Disorder (COD): Individuals with a mental health disorder are considered to have a COD when concurrent Substance Misuse, a SUD, and/or an Addictive Disorder significantly impacts their mental health symptoms and ability to function in an age-appropriate manner in key life domains and/or presents significant health risks.
COD Treatment: Integrated treatment of a mental health disorder through assessment, treatment planning, and interventions that promote improved mental health functioning by targeting both the mental health and addictive and/or substance-related problems.
