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Continuum of drug use and mental illness

Continuum of drug use

Recreational
At Risk
Dependency
Compusive Use
Experimental
Occasional
Regular
Heavy / Chaotic

  • Experimental: drug use once or twice
  • Occasional: Once a week or now and then
  • Regular: 3X a week. At risk for developing physical or psychological dependence
  • Heavy: Daily or more than once a day. May be addicted or dependent
  • Chaotic: Compulsive, obsessive, not in control, life narrowly focused on drugs, often with a great deal of loss in other areas of life.

Mental illness and drug use



Functional/Independent  Not Functional/Dependent
  • Taking meds
  • Light or no use
  • Established relationship with provider
  • Not taking meds
  • Heavy use
  • Sporadic relationship with provider