What is Substance Abuse?

You may question whether what you are experiencing is substance abuse or maybe others in your life are questioning you. In this article, hear a licensed addictions therapist address what substance abuse is and some tips to start your recovery.  

What is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is the use of alcohol and/or other drugs with harmful and problematic behavioral patterns. The abuse affects your relationships, work or school life, activities you enjoy, social events, or your goals. Substance abuse affects your physical and mental health, often wreaking havoc in ways you won’t know about for years.

Types of Substances

When talking about the substances, we are looking at the use of legal, illegal, prescribed, over-the-counter, chemicals, or research drugs. Substance abuse can be when you don’t take it as prescribed, such as taking it all at once rather than 3 times a day, snorting it rather than taking it orally, or taking more in a day than prescribed. You may use one substance at a time or multiple substances. The way you use drugs also increases the likelihood of substance abuse occurring.

Common Drugs

• Alcohol

• Marijuana

• Methamphetamines 

• Other Stimulants (Adderall, Vyvanse, Desoxyn, Phentermine, etc.)

• Heroin

• Cocaine

• Steroids

• Pain Relievers (Lortabs, Norcos, Oxys, Roxys, etc.)

• Sleep Meds (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, etc.)

• Muscle Relaxers (Flexeril, Zanaflex, Soma, etc.)

• Benzos (Valium, Xanax, Klonopin)

• Hallucinogens (PCP, LSD, Ecstasy, shrooms, ketamine, DMT, etc.)

• Inhalants (paint thinners, polish remover, whippets (whip cream cans), anything aerosol, etc.)

• Over-the-Counter Meds (Benadryl, Imodium, Triple C (Coricidin Cough & Cold) or other cough meds, Sudafed, NyQuil, etc)

• Synthetic Drugs (bath salts, K-2, etc.)

Harmful Behaviors

• A couple of examples include:

• Overdosing

• Mixing drugs

• Injecting drugs

• Driving while under the influence 

• Other risky behaviors (i.e., hanging out of cars, jumping off roofs, etc.)

Problematic Behaviors

• Few examples may include:

• Lying

• Manipulating

• Stealing

• Avoiding responsibilities

Who Does Substance Abuse affect?

Substance abuse does not discriminate on who it affects from the user to the family. Those affected are you, your family, your friends, your co-workers, your community, and even random strangers. There is a ripple effect with your use that often we don’t consider.

Children and adolescents are at higher risk for substance abuse because they use substances they readily find, such as inhalants or prescription medications. These inhalant substances can cause death the first time they use them or the 20th time. There is just no idea how much chemicals one is inhaling when they use.

Recovery from Substance Abuse

 Substance Abuse recovery is possible no matter the degree of the abuse. Recovery can happen several ways for individuals. Finding your own path is important. No one path is right, and you may find that you need to readjust your path.  

Here are a few things that help with recovery:

• Supportive community

• Changing people, places, and things

• Working on your thinking and mindset

• Substance abuse medications such as Suboxone, Acamprosate, Naltrexone

• Therapy in an outpatient or inpatient setting

• Finding hobbies

If you would like to learn more about recovery from substance abuse, check out my previous blog here. This article may have resonated with you and you are ready to make a lifestyle change or maybe to avoid substance abuse. If that is the case, you can schedule a free consultation today.