Definition

1. Noun:
   • A substance consumed for non-medical purposes: A "drug of abuse" is any drug taken primarily for its psychoactive effects—to alter mood, perception, or consciousness—rather than for treating a medical condition.
   • A substance associated with harm and dependence: Its use often leads to physical or mental harm and can result in dependence or addiction.

Usage

• The term is used in formal, legal, medical, and public health contexts to classify and discuss substances whose non-medical use is harmful.
• It typically refers to illegal drugs (e.g., heroin, cocaine) but can also include the misuse of prescription medications (e.g., opioids, stimulants).

Examples

• Noun:
  • Cocaine is classified as a dangerous drug of abuse.
  • The report focused on preventing the use of drugs of abuse among teenagers.
  • Law enforcement works to intercept the trafficking of drugs of abuse.

Advanced Usage

• "Schedule I drug of abuse": A legal classification for substances with a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.
  • Under U.S. law, LSD is considered a Schedule I drug of abuse.
• The phrase often appears in compound nouns like "common drugs of abuse" or "potential drug of abuse."

Variants and Related Words

• Abusable drug (n): A less common synonym with the same meaning.
• Substance of abuse (n): A very similar term, often used interchangeably.
• Drug abuse (n): The act or pattern of misusing such drugs.
  • He sought help for his drug abuse.
• Abuse (v/n): To use something wrongly or excessively.
  • It is illegal to abuse prescription medications.

Synonyms

• Illicit drug: An illegal drug.
• Recreational drug: A drug used for pleasure rather than medical reasons (this term can be less formal and sometimes carries fewer negative connotations).
• Psychoactive substance: A substance that affects the mind (a broader, more clinical term).

Related Phrases

• Drug abuse and addiction: A common phrase linking the substance to the behavioral and physiological outcomes.
  • The clinic specializes in treating drug abuse and addiction.
• Pattern of abuse: Refers to the habitual misuse of a drug.
  • The patient showed a severe pattern of abuse.

Notes

• The core term is "drug of abuse." While "drug abuse" is a related and very common phrase, it refers to the of misuse, not the itself. The definition and examples here focus strictly on the substance ("drug of abuse").

Noun

1. a drug that is taken for nonmedicinal reasons (usually for mind-altering effects); drug abuse can lead to physical and mental damage and (with some substances) dependence and addiction