The nurse is caring for a patient with substance use disorder. The patient asks if there is a difference between substance use disorder and addiction. How will the nurse explain how substance use disorder differs from addiction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

2. While many may use the terms substance use disorder and addiction interchangeably, these concepts vary. Substance use disorder is a diagnostic term used to describe the continued use of a substance without regard to negative consequence, including physiological and psychological symptoms. Addiction refers to an active disease state. Neither substance use disorder nor addiction refers to chemical dependency only.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Substance Use