We often hear of “substance abuse” rather than “drug abuse”. Why do people continue to use the word “substance”?
It is imprecise, and not as scientific as the words “drug” or “chemical”. Although it is impossible to determine the reason why people use the word “substance”, it appears that it is an attempt at being “all-inclusive” – to include not only therapeutic drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol (many people still call alcohol a food), nicotine, chemicals that are inhaled (“inhalants”), foods (to which some people can become “addicted”), and certain plant products (including marijuana and herbs).
