SUBSTANCE USE

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.

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