Drug abuse is defined as what?

• A. Accidental misuses of prescription drugs.
• B. Using medicines exactly as prescribed.
• C. Intentional improper or unsafe use of a drug for nonmedical purposes.
• D. Using only herbal supplements.

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how drug abuse is defined by intention and use. Drug abuse means intentionally using a drug in an unsafe or improper way to achieve a nonmedical effect, such as getting high or altering mood, outside of medical guidance. This focuses on the purpose behind the use and the unsafe nature of the behavior. Using medicines exactly as prescribed is proper, not abusive. Accidental or unintentional misuse isn’t considered abuse because there’s no deliberate nonmedical goal. Using only herbal supplements isn’t the defined behavior for abuse in this context, since the term typically refers to prescription or illicit drugs used for nonmedical purposes. So the best description is the deliberate, unsafe use of a drug for nonmedical reasons.