Substance misuse rarely appears out of nowhere. For most people, problematic use follows a predictable progression: from initial experimentation to routine use, risky patterns, dependence, and — for some — full-blown addiction (substance use disorder). Understanding those stages helps family members, teachers, clinicians, and the person using substances to detect trouble early, choose the right level of care, and intervene before harms accumulate.
The clinical definition of “substance use disorder” is based on a set of behavioral and physiological criteria (DSM-5), and severity is determined by how many criteria are present. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes; conversely, delayed recognition increases the need for intensive treatment. PMC