This blog covers the following topics:
- Definitions of Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction
- How to Differentiate and Assess These Events from Reports
- Key Takeaways, with Included Examples
Table of Contents
Introduction
This comprehensive write-up will provide an in-depth exploration of three closely related terms: Misuse, Abuse, and Addiction.
Additionally, it will cover coding conventions and provide examples to clarify these concepts.
General Overview
Misuse, abuse, and addiction looks identical that often overlap. It making it challenging to assess and select the most appropriate term. The specific context of each case or reported event is crucial in determining which term to use.
Definitions:
Misuse
Misuse refers to the intentional use of a therapeutic product whether prescription or over-the-counter. Performed by a patient or consumer in a manner other than as prescribed or not in line with the authorized product information.
Example
| Reported | LLT Selected |
|---|---|
| Patient deliberately took the medication twice daily instead of once daily | Intentional misuse in dosing frequency |
Abuse
Abuse refers to the intentional, non-therapeutic use of a product—whether over-the-counter or prescription. For a perceived reward or desired non-therapeutic effect, such as achieving euphoria (“getting high”). Abuse can occur with a single use, occasional use, or ongoing use of the product. Action by a patient or consumer.
Example:
| Reported | LLT Selected | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete used anabolic steroid preparation to enhance performance | Steroid abuse | |
| Patient occasionally uses opioid product to get high | Opioid abuse, episodic use | |
| Patient deliberately ingested the topical medication for its psychoactive effect | Drug abuse & Intentional use by incorrect route | LLT Intentional use by incorrect route (PT Intentional product use issue) provides additional information about the nature of the drug abuse |
“Understanding the subtle differences between misuse, abuse, and addiction is key to accurate pharmacovigilance, ensuring safety and clarity in every report.”
Addiction
Addiction is an intense, compulsive desire by a patient or consumer for non-therapeutic purposes,. It accompanied by an inability to control or stop its use despite negative consequences.
While addiction may involve physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms, this is not always the case. Addiction can also stem from a desire to experience the drug’s psychological, behavioral, or physical effects.
Example:
| Reported | LLT Selected |
|---|---|
| Patient became dependent on crack cocaine | Dependence on cocaine |
| Patient became addicted to a deliberately ingested topical medication for its psychoactive effect | Drug addiction & Intentional use by incorrect route |
Differentiating and Assessing These Events
In many cases, distinguishing between these three events can be challenging, as they often appear similar when it comes to coding. To help with this, here is a simple framework for understanding and differentiating between them.
The table below further illustrates these concepts for clarity:
| Concept | Intentional? | By Whom? | Therapeutic Use? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Misuse | Yes | Patient/consumer | Yes |
| Abuse | Yes | Patient/consumer | No |
| Addiction | Yes | Patient/consumer | No |
Key Takeaways
The definition of misuse may not always emphasize therapeutic use; in some regions, misuse can overlap with the concept of abuse.
Always select the most appropriate LLT (Lowest Level Term) rather than using multiple LLTs. Be diligent in your search, as there may be a more precise term to represent the event.
While misuse, abuse, and addiction may appear similar in reports, they differ in the underlying intention behind their use.
Wrap-up
In this write-up, we have explored the subtle distinctions between misuse, abuse, and addiction in a clear and simple way.
Understanding these terms will be helpful when assessing cases involving any of these events.
Do you think there’s anything we could add or any important points we might have missed? Feel free to share your thoughts and comments. Don’t forget to share this with your colleagues and friends to spread knowledge!
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