What term describes a state where a person has become accustomed to a substance?

The term that accurately describes a state where a person has become accustomed to a substance is dependence. This concept refers to the physiological or psychological adaptation that occurs when an individual regularly uses a substance, leading to tolerance—meaning they may require larger amounts to achieve the same effects. Dependence can manifest in various ways, including cravings and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not available, indicating that the body has adapted to the presence of the substance as a part of its normal functioning.

Impairment refers to the diminished ability to perform tasks or activities often due to the effects of a substance, while withdrawal refers to the symptoms that occur when someone reduces or stops using a substance they are dependent on. Abuse typically involves the harmful use of a substance in a manner that is detrimental to health or well-being, rather than the state of becoming accustomed to it. Therefore, dependence precisely captures the process of acclimatization to a substance.