addictive substances

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "addictive substances" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing drugs, alcohol, or other materials that can lead to addiction. Example: "The government is implementing new regulations to control the sale of addictive substances in order to protect public health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I criticise the notion of internet "addiction" because addictive substances need to be discarded.

The Guardian - Books

Conversely, in addiction, pathological overvaluation of addictive substances probably contributes to impaired capacity (Charland 2002, 2007).

SEP

Under the irrational addiction model, decisions about consuming addictive substances are motivated by emotion, rather than logic.

Agricultural and Food Economics

The overlapping genetic vulnerability for developing dependence on a variety of addictive substances suggests large roles for "higher order" pharamacogenomics in addiction molecular genetics.

Biochemical Pharmacology

Being that the nicotine is one of the most addictive substances, it's not really helping you quit your addiction, it's not the path to accomplishing that.

Huffington Post

Opioid addiction is a medical issue resulting from powerful biochemical responses to specific addictive substances.

Huffington Post

These are addictive substances".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So is money, cigarettes, addictive substances, even television.

The New Yorker

Dr. Dudley, a physiologist, said that most addictive substances were relatively new to the human species.

The New York Times - Health

There is no country where illegal drugs kill as many people as legal addictive substances.

The New Yorker

Such self-administration of drugs by animals has been shown to be a hallmark of addictive substances.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the types of "addictive substances" you're discussing to provide clarity and avoid generalizations that may not apply universally.

Common error

Avoid using "addictive substances" loosely to describe things that are merely enjoyable or habit-forming. "Addictive substances" should refer to materials with a recognized potential for causing physical or psychological dependency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "addictive substances" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It is used to categorize materials known for their ability to cause dependency, as exemplified by Ludwig's numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "addictive substances" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that refers to materials known to cause dependency. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows its prevalence across various fields, including science, news, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "habit-forming materials" or "dependence-inducing agents" exist, "addictive substances" provides a generally neutral and scientifically recognized term. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, avoiding its application to mere enjoyable habits. As noted by Ludwig, the term is versatile and useful in discussions ranging from public health to legal regulations, always pertaining to materials with a clinically recognized potential for addiction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

addictive agents

A more concise synonym, omitting the word 'substances' without significantly altering the meaning.

highly addictive compounds

Specifies the chemical nature of the addictive entities, emphasizing their strong potential for addiction.

habit-forming materials

Focuses more on the formation of habits rather than the biochemical aspects of addiction.

dependency-creating drugs

Directly states the effect of creating a dependency but is slightly more verbose.

dependence-inducing agents

A more clinical and formal way to describe substances that lead to dependency.

substances of abuse

Focuses on the misuse aspect, referring to substances that are commonly abused.

habitual narcotics

Specifically refers to narcotics that are used habitually, narrowing the scope to illegal drugs.

compulsive consumables

Emphasizes the compulsive nature of consumption, broadening the context to potentially include non-substance-related addictions.

mind-altering drugs

Focuses on the psychological effects of the substances, rather than the addictive properties.

controlled substances

Highlights the legal aspect of regulation, often referring to substances legally restricted due to their addictive potential.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "addictive substances" in a sentence?

Use "addictive substances" to refer to materials known to cause dependency. For example: "The new law aims to regulate the sale of "addictive substances" to minors."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "addictive substances"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "habit-forming materials", "dependence-inducing agents", or "substances of abuse".

Is it accurate to describe behaviors as "addictive substances"?

While behaviors can be addictive, it's more accurate to refer to them as "addictive behaviors" or "compulsive behaviors". The term ""addictive substances"" typically refers to physical materials.

What's the difference between "addictive substances" and "controlled substances"?

"Addictive substances" are materials with the potential to cause dependency. "Controlled substances" are drugs regulated by the government due to their potential for abuse or addiction.