Health and Communication Key Concepts Practice Test 2026 – Your All-in-One Study Guide for Exam Success!

The definition of drug misuse encompasses the idea of using drugs incorrectly, which can involve a range of behaviors. This includes taking medication in a manner not intended by the prescribing healthcare provider, using someone else's prescription medications, or taking more than the recommended dosage.

While the other options touch on specific aspects of drug-related behaviors, they do not fully capture the broader concept of misuse. For example, illicit drug use for pleasure refers to illegal drug use but does not include the misuse of prescribed medications. Overdosing on prescribed medication is a consequence of misuse rather than a definition of it. Sharing medications with others is also a form of misuse but is just one of many ways in which drugs can be misused. Thus, the most comprehensive definition of drug misuse is accurately represented by the idea of using drugs incorrectly.