But was that a fair test? What if the substance you were scoring yourself on was toothpaste or orange juice? You may love the taste of orange juice, consistently start your day with a tall, cool glass of it, feel more awake after you drink it, and even feel uneasy when you run out of it. But that doesn't mean you are addicted to orange juice. Why? Because you are not abusing orange juice. Substance abuse is a pattern of use that causes repeated and significant adverse consequences, such as:
Your use of orange juice probably is not causing you any of these problems. (At least we hope you aren't that hooked on orange juice!) Moreover, most people with addictions are abusing some psychoactive substance—one of the many chemical substances that directly affect the brain and nervous system and alter the way we act, think, and feel. Orange juice is not one of them, but many other common substances are. Let's take a look at psychoactive substances.
failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home.
repeatedly using the substance in hazardous ways, such as while driving an automobile.
experiencing recurrent legal problems related to the substance, such as arrests for drunken driving.
continuing to use the substance despite its recurrent negative impact on social relationships.
