Final answer:
The false statement is that drug abuse is always illegal, as prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can be abused legally. Drug abuse can lead to addiction, health problems, and negatively affect one's life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement among the following that is FALSE is Drug abuse is always illegal. While many instances of drug abuse involve illegal substances, there are also occasions where legal prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications can be used in a manner that constitutes abuse, such as taking higher doses than prescribed or using them for non-medical reasons, which may not be illegal but still considered abuse.
Drug abuse can certainly lead to addiction, cause a myriad of physical and mental health problems, and have detrimental effects on an individual’s relationships and work performance. Addiction is characterized by the compulsive use of substances despite negative consequences, while physical or psychological dependence may develop, leading to withdrawal symptoms upon cessation of use.
Tolerance is another concept linked with physiological dependence, causing individuals to consume greater amounts of the drug to feel the same effects, potentially resulting in an overdose.