American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Practice Test

What does the term 'drug abuse' refer to according to European and American definitions?

1. Excessive drug use that is medically approved

2. Any drug use that exceeds the recommended dosage

3. Excessive drug use not approved by the medical profession

4. Use of recreational drugs in social settings

The correct answer is: Excessive drug use not approved by the medical profession

The term 'drug abuse' is characterized by excessive use of drugs that is not recognized or sanctioned by the medical profession. This definition highlights a crucial distinction between the medically supervised use of drugs and the misuse of substances for non-medical purposes. In this context, drug abuse typically encompasses behaviors that involve taking drugs in a manner that is harmful to oneself or others, often leading to negative social, legal, and health consequences. When examining the other options, it’s clear that they describe scenarios that do not align with the established definition of drug abuse. For instance, excessive drug use that is medically approved refers to situations where healthcare providers endorse the use of medications for a clinical purpose, which does not fall under the umbrella of abuse. Similarly, any use that merely exceeds recommended dosages could still involve a legitimate medical context and does not inherently indicate abuse unless that use is unsanctioned. Lastly, the use of recreational drugs in social settings can include both responsible use and abuse, but it does not specifically imply a harmful or excessive behavior as required by the definition of drug abuse. Thus, the correct choice effectively captures the essence of drug abuse within the framework provided by both European and American definitions.