What it means
In sexual health, abstinence means not having sex; it is the only birth control method that is completely effective and also prevents sexually transmitted infections. In substance use, it means not using alcohol or drugs at all. Withdrawal symptoms that start when a person stops a substance are sometimes called abstinence symptoms.
At a glance
| Spanish | abstinencia |
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Related terms
sexually transmitted infection
An infection passed from one person to another mainly through sexual contact.
substance misuse
Using alcohol, drugs or medicines in a way that can cause harm, or using a medicine other than as prescribed.