complete abstinence from drugs

/kəmˈpliːt ˈæbstɪnəns frəm drʌɡz/

noun phrase

  1. The practice of not using any drugs at all, usually as a personal choice or as part of recovery from drug addiction.

    B2

    uncountableformal

    • "Complete abstinence from drugs is an important part of his recovery."B1
    • "The treatment program requires complete abstinence from drugs for at least one year."B2
    • "For some people with substance-use disorders, complete abstinence from drugs offers the safest path to long-term stability."C1

Common mistakes

  • complete abstinence of drugs→complete abstinence from drugs

    Abstinence is normally followed by from when referring to something a person avoids.

Collocations

maintain complete abstinence from drugsachieve complete abstinence from drugsrequire complete abstinence from drugscommit to complete abstinencepledge of complete abstinence

Word family

abstainabstinenceabstinentabstainer