Abuse - MedFriendly.com (Physical Abuse, Drug Abuse, Neglect)

Abuse is any wrong use or misuse of something,

especially if it is excessive. In the field of medicine,

this definition of abuse typically refers to alcohol

abuse and/or drug abuse. Abuse can also refer to

treatment that is injurious or offensive. Examples

include mental abuse, physical abuse, and sexual

abuse.

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While patients may report such abuse to their healthcare providers, there are cases in

which the health care provider is alleged to have perpetrated the abuse (e.g., physically

striking, neglecting, yelling at, or sexually assaulting a patient). Abuse is often reported in

nursing homes, although the accused may not be a health care provider per se, but

another staff member (e.g., transporter, maintenance worker) employed in the institution.

Abuse can also refer to the improper usage of something to improperly or unfairly gain

benefit. An example of such abuse is malingering, which is the intentional production of

false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms motivated by external

incentives such as avoiding military duty, avoiding work, obtaining financial

compensation, evading criminal prosecution, or obtaining drugs (e.g., pain killers).

Abuse comes from the Latin word “ab” meaning “away” and the Latin word “uti” meaning

“to use.” Put the words together and you get “to use away.”