ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the global drug scene and key concepts that relate to addiction. It points out that all aspects of sustainable development including social development, economic development, environmental sustainability, peaceful, just and inclusive societies and partnership shape the nature and dynamic of the drug problem. The main problem of drugs at the global level continues to be cannabis, while amphetamines remain the second most commonly used drug. However, the use of opiates and prescription opioids is less common, but opioids, mainly heroin, remain one of the major drugs of public health concern with potential harm and health consequences. Various concepts including drug and drug misuse, substance abuse and dependence, dependence syndrome, addictive behaviour, psychological and physical dependence, problem drug user, problem-drinker, hazardous drinker, harmful drinker, severely dependent drinkers and drinkers with complex problems are examined. There is a section on substance-related and addictive disorders relating to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V).