No. According to the DSM-IV-TR, substance abuse refers to substance use that results in significant impairment or distress that is manifested by at least one of the following:
- Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
- Ex: frequent absences, job loss, failing grades, etc.
- Recurrent use in situations where it is physically hazardous.
- Ex: Driving while intoxicated, operating heavy machinery, etc.
- Recurrent legal problems related to substance use.
- Ex: Drug possession charges, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, other legal problems stemming from use.
- Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems exacerbated by use.
- Ex: Domestic violence, loss of friends, etc.
Substance dependence is a pattern of recurrent substance use resulting in signifcant impairment or distress manifested in at least 3 of the following ways:
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal (physical or psychological)
- Substance is taken in larger amounts or over a larger period than intended
- Persistent desire or successful efforts to cut down or control use
- Significant amount of time spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use the substance, or recover
- Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
- Substance use is continued despite knowledge of having persistent problems related to use.
- Ex: Depressive episodes related to use.
Basically, substance dependence is substance abuse with tolerance, withdrawal and/or compulsive use. (That's an oversimplification but is almost always true.)
If a person uses substances but does not meet the above criteria for abuse or dependence, the correct labels may be "use" or "misuse".
