Substance abuse

The term, substance abuse, refers primarily to the recreational use of drugs and is not considered a disorder unless it impairs social or occupational functioning. Drug dependence, a disorder ordinarily resulting from the repeated use of drugs, is manifested in a strong desire to continue taking the drug, either for the pleasant sensations that might result of to escape feelings of withdrawal. The APA distinguishes between physiological dependence, commonly called addiction, in which the desire to continue taking the drug is at least partly organically based, and psychological dependence, sometimes called habituation, in which the desire to continue taking the drug has to do mainly with its psychological rather than its physiological effects. Drug tolerance refers to changes that occur in the user so that with the passage of time more and more of the drug is required to produce the desired effect. The most commonly abused drugs are narcotics (e.g., opium, morphine, heroin, codeine, methadone), sedatives (e.g., barbiturates, tranquilizers, alcohol), stimulants (e.g., cocaine, crack, amphetamines), hallucinogens (e.g., LSD, PCP, mescaline, psiolcybin, marijuana), inhalants (e.g., glue, paint thinner, aerosol sprays, solvents), unclassified (e.g., nicotine), and "designer" drugs (any of a combination of chemicals and drugs, often manufactured by amateur chemists).

Complete Our Survey

Help the VKC improve its web site by completing a short survey.

Complete the VKC Website Feedback Survey

Services and Programs

Research Family Partners
Research Family Partners is a program that helps families connect with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center research studies in which they may be interested in taking part.
Tennessee Disability Pathfinder - An internet community and statewide helpline
Phone, web, and print resources in English and Spanish to connect the Tennessee disability community with service providers. Referral services, free of cost, are provided to persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and advocates.

Back to Index

Links and Resources

American Council on Drug Education
The American Council for Drug Education is a substance abuse prevention and education agency that develops programs and materials based on the most current scientific research on drug use and its impact on society.

Back to Index

Video, Podcast and Images

Health Disparities and the Stress Hypothesis
January 9, 2013
Developmental Disabilities Grand Rounds
R. Jay Turner, Ph.D., Harvie Branscomb Chair and Professor of Sociology, Professor of Psychiatry

Back to Index