Which indicator is more representative of a use disorder compared to simple substance dependence?

The association of substance use with interpersonal conflict or missed workdays serves as a more comprehensive indicator of a use disorder compared to simple substance dependence. This is because a use disorder goes beyond physical dependence or tolerance to include significant disruptive behavioral patterns and negative impacts on an individual’s life.

When substance use begins to interfere with social relationships, work responsibilities, or leads to conflicts, it highlights a more serious level of dysfunction that characterizes a use disorder. These contextual factors indicate that the substance use is not only a matter of physical symptoms, but also involves psychological and social dimensions that warrant attention.

In contrast, simple dependence indicators like tolerance and withdrawal focus more on the physiological aspects of substance use and do not fully encapsulate the broader implications of how substance use affects an individual's overall functioning and quality of life. The amount of substance used also fails to consider the consequences of that use, making the association with interpersonal conflicts or missed workdays the more telling factor in recognizing a use disorder.