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Substance Use

About Substance Use

Substance use disorder is when someone develops an addiction and dependency on a substance like drugs or alcohol, and this addiction negatively affects the main areas of their lives: family, personal, social, and work/school. Substance use disorders are often indicators of other mental health issues that are affecting someone, and the use of substances is a form of dealing with those issues.

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Common Substances
Signs & Symptoms

  • Needing a substance regularly

  • Inability to stop using a substance

  • Always making sure you have access to a certain substance

  • Spending all your money on a substance

  • Doing things to get and use a substance that you wouldn't normally do (like stealing)

  • Cravings for the substance

  • Giving up social/recreational activities for substance use​

  • Cannabis (or marijuana or weed)

  • Prescription drugs (opioids)

  • Alcohol

  • Heroin

  • Cocaine

What To Do​ About It

Substance use disorder is especially serious in youth because it can affect their brain development in harmful ways that may lead to chronic health problems or mental health issues later in life. If you or someone you care about may be suffering from substance use disorder, talk to a responsible adult or health care professional about it. It is rare for someone who has an addiction to immediately stop using their addicted substance. It often takes a long time and many different forms of treatment for people to get their addictions under control. Talking to a health care professional can ensure that you are pointed in the right direction and are taking the right steps towards recovery to return to a productive, fulfilling life.

Types of Substance Use Treatments:

  • Treatment at a hospital or rehabilitation facility

  • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

  • Medications to treat underlying mental illness

  • Detox programs

  • Therapy/Counseling 

  • Addiction education

  • Meditation, Yoga, and Mindfulness

Why People Use Substances:

SOURCE: Mind Your Mind

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