Clinical concept · Australian terminology

Harmful use

Definition

A pattern of substance use that has caused damage to physical or mental health.

Source linked1 covered source

A pattern of substance use that has caused damage to physical or mental health. The term should be interpreted alongside the person's account, the observed context and other relevant clinical information.

Use the term descriptively and in the context in which it was assessed.
Avoid treating a single concept as a diagnosis or complete clinical formulation.

These related entries share a topic but may describe different kinds of finding, context or clinical task. Open each definition before treating the terms as interchangeable.

Source checking confirms that the published wording is supported by the cited material. It does not mean specialist clinical approval; new wording remains approval pending.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Alcohol and other drug treatment services glossary

Clinical concept · Australian terminology

Harmful use

Definition

A pattern of substance use that has caused damage to physical or mental health.

Topic: Substance use

Source linked1 covered source

Use the term descriptively and in the context in which it was assessed.
Avoid treating a single concept as a diagnosis or complete clinical formulation.

These related entries share a topic but may describe different kinds of finding, context or clinical task. Open each definition before treating the terms as interchangeable.

Source checking confirms that the published wording is supported by the cited material. It does not mean specialist clinical approval; new wording remains approval pending.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Alcohol and other drug treatment services glossary