What is the term for the loss of control over drug intake despite negative consequences?

The term that refers to the loss of control over drug intake despite experiencing negative consequences is addiction. This condition is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking behavior and the inability to stop using a substance, even when it leads to harmful outcomes in various aspects of life, such as health, relationships, and responsibilities.

Addiction goes beyond simply using drugs; it involves a chronic, relapsing disorder that changes the brain's structure and function, leading to intense cravings and the prioritization of substance use over other activities. As individuals struggle with addiction, they may continue to use the substance to alleviate the distress or anxiety associated with withdrawal symptoms or the effects of not using.

The other terms, while related, refer to different concepts. For instance, substance abuse is often characterized by a pattern of harmful use, but it does not inherently suggest the same level of compulsivity or loss of control as addiction. Tolerance involves needing more of a substance to achieve the same effect, and dependence indicates physiological adaptation to a substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms when not used, but neither of these terms captures the ongoing loss of control that defines addiction.