Question

drug abuse is defined as _________.
a the consumption of legal drugs for medical purposes
b the consumption of illegal drugs for medical purposes
c the nonmedical or improper use of a drug, which can interfere with a healthy life
d using drugs on an occasional basis until mood is altered
please select the best answer from the choices provided.

Explanation:

To determine the correct definition of drug abuse, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Consumption of legal drugs for medical purposes is proper medical use, not abuse.
• Option B: Using illegal drugs for medical purposes is not the definition of drug abuse (and illegal drugs are not used for medical purposes in a proper sense here).
• Option C: Non - medical or improper use of a drug that interferes with a healthy life matches the definition of drug abuse, as it involves using drugs in a way that is not for legitimate medical reasons and has negative impacts on health and life.
• Option D: Using drugs occasionally to alter mood is more like recreational use in some cases and does not fully capture the concept of drug abuse, which emphasizes improper use interfering with a healthy life.

Answer:

C. the nonmedical or improper use of a drug, which can interfere with a healthy life