Discussion Forum (Archived)
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We just got a notice at work regarding our coverage for
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS
I found the new term, substance use disorder, odd. When I looked it up, it seems it is catching on. Clinically, some want to distinguish substance abuse from substance dependence. Until recently the term substance abuse included substance dependence. But in the circles where these terms have become distinct, there was left a void. Now they have come up with a new term to regroup the two ideas into one, sometimes properly hyphenated as substance-use disorder.
I can never get those blasted eye drops into my eyes. They end up rolling down my cheeks. It usually takes me five to ten tries. I wonder if that is a substance-use disorder.
And if I always spill water when I drink from a glass, do I have a "drinking problem?" [homage to Airplane there ...]
But seriously folks, I asked a friend about Glenn's original question. She's a substance abuse counselor. Been in the business for 20 some years. She confirms your guess that's it's new jargon in her trade. You have it exactly right: "substance abuse" and "substance dependence" are both sub-categories of the broader "substance-use disorder." She says the terminology change was driven more by the insurance companies to clarify coverages, rather than by the medical community.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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