2019 Maryland Code
Health - General
Title 8 - Substance Use Disorders Law.
Subtitle 1 - Definitions
§ 8-101. Definitions

    (a)    In this title the following words have the meanings indicated.

    (b)    (1)    “Addictive disorder” means a chronic disorder of the brain’s reward–activation system in which the individual pathologically pursues reward or relief by substance abuse or other behaviors, with diminished control, and the individual persists in the behavior despite adverse consequences.

        (2)    “Addictive disorder” includes gambling, which is the only nonsubstance–related addictive disorder recognized by Maryland law.

    (c)    “Administration” means the Behavioral Health Administration.

    (d)    “Administrator” means the program director or the clinical director of an alcohol or drug abuse treatment facility or a health care facility.

    (e)    “Alcohol abuse” means a disease that is characterized by a pattern of pathological use of alcohol with repeated attempts to control its use, and with significant negative consequences in at least one of the following areas of life: medical, legal, financial, or psycho–social.

    (f)    “Alcohol dependence” means a disease characterized by:

        (1)    Alcohol abuse; and

        (2)    Physical symptoms of withdrawal or tolerance.

    (g)    “Alcohol misuse” means:

        (1)    Unlawful use of alcohol;

        (2)    Alcohol abuse; or

        (3)    Alcohol dependence.

    (h)    “Director” means the Director of the Administration.

    (i)    “Drug” means:

        (1)    A controlled dangerous substance that is regulated under the Maryland Controlled Dangerous Substances Act;

        (2)    A prescription medication; or

        (3)    A chemical substance when used for unintended and harmful purposes.

    (j)    “Drug abuse” means a disease which is characterized by a pattern of pathological use of a drug with repeated attempts to control the use, and with significant negative consequences in at least one of the following areas of life: medical, legal, financial, or psycho–social.

    (k)    “Drug dependence” means a disease characterized by:

        (1)    Drug abuse; and

        (2)    Physical symptoms of withdrawal or tolerance.

    (l)    “Drug misuse” means:

        (1)    Unlawful use of a drug;

        (2)    Drug abuse; or

        (3)    Drug dependence.

    (m)    “Halfway house” means a clinically managed, low intensity residential treatment service for individuals with substance–related disorders who are capable of self–care but are not ready to return to independent living.

    (n)    “Large halfway house” means a halfway house that admits at least 9 but not more than 16 individuals.

    (o)    (1)    “Mental disorder” means a behavioral or emotional illness that results from a psychiatric disorder.

        (2)    “Mental disorder” includes a mental illness that so substantially impairs the mental or emotional functioning of an individual as to make care or treatment necessary or advisable for the welfare of the individual or for the safety of the person or property of another.

        (3)    “Mental disorder” does not include an intellectual disability.

    (p)    “Recovery residence” means a service that:

        (1)    Provides alcohol–free and illicit–drug–free housing to individuals with substance–related disorders or addictive disorders or co–occurring mental disorders and substance–related disorders or addictive disorders; and

        (2)    Does not include clinical treatment services.

    (q)    “Small halfway house” means a halfway house that admits at least 4 but not more than 8 individuals.

    (r)    (1)    “Substance–related disorder” means:

            (i)    Alcohol use disorder, alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol misuse, alcohol intoxication, or alcohol withdrawal;

            (ii)    Nonalcohol substance use disorder, drug dependence, drug misuse, nonalcohol substance induced intoxication, or nonalcohol substance withdrawal; or

            (iii)    Any combination of the disorders listed in items (i) and (ii) of this paragraph.

        (2)    “Substance–related disorder” includes substance use disorders and substance induced disorders.

    (s)    “Withdrawal management” means direct or indirect services for an acutely intoxicated individual to fulfill the physical, social, and emotional needs of an individual by:

        (1)    Monitoring the amount of alcohol and other toxic agents in the body of the individual;

        (2)    Managing withdrawal symptoms; and

        (3)    Motivating an individual to participate in the appropriate substance–related disorder programs.