Which term is associated with the negative impact of drugs on health?

The term that is most closely associated with the negative impact of drugs on health is "substance abuse." Substance abuse refers specifically to a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. This behavior often results in negative consequences for an individual's health, relationships, and overall well-being. It encompasses not only the use of illegal drugs but also the improper use of legal substances, such as alcohol and prescription medications.

While the other terms, such as substance use and substance misuse, are related, they do not specifically imply the severity of harm that "substance abuse" conveys. Substance use can simply refer to the act of consuming a substance, which does not inherently carry a negative connotation. Substance misuse, on the other hand, could refer to using a substance in a harmful way, but it is not as severe as abuse, which indicates a more prolonged and recurrent pattern of negative consequences related to the use of substances. Thus, substance abuse is the term that most directly addresses the negative impact on health.