The compound adjective "substance-related" is a modern formation from two distinct Latin-derived roots. "Substance" originates from 'substantia', meaning "that which stands under," evolving from a philosophical concept of essential being to its general meaning of physical matter or material, and later specializing to denote drugs or chemicals. "Related" stems from 'referre', meaning to carry back or connect. When combined in contemporary English, primarily within medical, legal, and sociological contexts, the term logically constructs a meaning of "being connected to a (specific, often psychoactive) material," directly linking the ancient sense of fundamental matter to modern classifications of conditions or behaviors associated with such agents.

Structure: substance (material) + related (connected) - substance: From Latin 'substantia' (essence, material), from 'substare' (to stand under). Functions as the primary noun root specifying the object of relation. - related: From Latin 'relatus', past participle of 'referre' (to bring back, refer). The suffix '-ed' forms a participial adjective. Functions as the relational component, indicating a connection or association.