Substance Dependence
Dimension 287 of 1,100 · Health Lens
Substance Dependence measures the extent to which expressions reflect compulsive substance use marked by craving, loss of control, tolerance, withdrawal, and continued use despite harmful effects. It encompasses both the urge to use and the physical or emotional consequences that signal entrenched reliance on alcohol, nicotine, drugs, or medication.
evidence final name · Substance use
Minimal Substance Dependence
Expressions activating this band show early or uncertain signs of reliance on a substance, such as noticing automatic use, feeling an overpowering desire, or questioning control over drinking or smoking. The dependence signal is present but mixed with diffuse, inconsistent, or weakly related content.
Mild Substance Dependence
Expressions activating this band describe recognizable dependence features such as craving during short periods without use, needing more of a substance for the same effect, preoccupation with drugs, or guilt and physical aftereffects linked to use.
Moderate Substance Dependence
Expressions activating this band reflect dependence with clearer withdrawal-like and emotional consequences, including shaking, anxiety when substances are unavailable or used, headaches, cravings, and other distress tied to use or interruption of use.
High Substance Dependence
Expressions activating this band show entrenched reliance characterized by explicit cravings, withdrawal symptoms after heavy intake, illness or headaches from use, and tolerance marked by needing increasing amounts to achieve prior effects.
Severe Substance Dependence
Expressions activating this band center on intense, unmistakable withdrawal and inability to stop comfortably, with horrible withdrawals, shakes, headaches, and difficult weaning or going without the substance.
Candidate names
Sentence counts by range
Dataset representation
Anchor definitions
Minimal Substance use: Substance use is present at a low level. Expressions activating this band reflect early or diffuse substance use.
Emerging Substance use: Substance use is experienced here as observable behavioral patterns associated with problematic or disordered functioning. Compared to the band below, substance use is more intense and concentrated but retains the same essential character. Expressions activating this band engage with substance use at a level associated with formal behavioral assessment.
Elevated Substance use: Substance use is experienced here as observable behavioral patterns associated with problematic or disordered functioning. Compared to the band below, substance use is more intense and concentrated but retains the same essential character. Expressions activating this band engage with substance use at a level associated with formal behavioral assessment.
Severe Substance use: Substance use is experienced here as observable behavioral patterns associated with problematic or disordered functioning. Compared to the band below, substance use is more intense and concentrated but retains the same essential character. Expressions activating this band engage with substance use at a level associated with formal behavioral assessment.