The compound noun "substance-use" is a modern formation built from two established English words of Latin origin. "Substance" derives from the Latin 'substantia', meaning "that which stands under," referring to essential matter or being. "Use" originates from Latin 'usus', denoting the act of employing something for a purpose. The compound logically combines these elements to specify the act of employing a material, typically a drug. Over recent decades, its usage has become specialized within medical, legal, and sociological contexts to refer specifically to the consumption of psychoactive or addictive materials, shifting from a general literal meaning to a precise technical term.

Structure: substance (material) + use (act of employing) substance: From Latin 'substantia' (essence, material). In this compound, it functions as the noun specifying the object being consumed. use: From Old French 'us', from Latin 'usus' (act of using, custom). In this compound, it functions as the noun indicating the act or practice of employing something.