Substance Abuse & Addiction

A substance use disorder (SUD) is an impairment to someone caused by the reoccurring use of alcohol or drugs (or both). These impairments can include health problems, disabilities, and the failure to complete major responsibilities. (SAMHSA) Substance abuse and addiction is a serious issue on its own, but if not properly treated and managed, it can lead to death through overdose, which is what happens when someone puts too many substances or a mix of substances into their body. There is no way to predict whether or not someone will become addiction to drugs, so it’s important to know what to look for. (NIH)

Signs someone might be suffering from addiction (Center on Addiction)

  • Alcohol, smoke or other chemical odors on your child’s or their friends’ breath or clothing

  • Obvious intoxication, dizziness or bizarre behavior

  • Changes in dress and grooming

  • Changes in choice of friends

  • Frequent arguments, sudden mood changes and unexplained violent actions

  • Changes in eating and sleeping patterns

  • Sudden weight gain or loss

  • Loss of interest in usual activities or hobbies

  • School problems such as declining or failing grades, poor attendance and recent discipline problems

  • Trauma or frequent injuries

  • Runaway and delinquent behavior

  • Depressed mood or talk about depression or suicide; suicide attempts

How to fight substance abuse/addiction (Nemours)

  • Tell your friends and family know about your decisions to stop using drugs so they can support you during this time

  • Have people you trust be available for you

  • Avoid situations and events where drugs and/or alcohol won’t be present

  • If you find yourself around drugs and/or alcohol, have a plan to stop yourself from abusing those substances

  • Continually remind yourself that your addiction doesn’t make you a bad person and that you shouldn’t be ashamed of your addiction

  • If you think your friend might be suffering from substance abuse/addiction, show your support and help them best you can

Why do people start abusing drugs? (MedMark)

There is no one particular reason why people start using substances. Just like every person is different, everyone’s story is different. But, there are some common reasons which include:

  • To feel better - Many abuse substances to try and fix something going on in their life that is making them feel bad, such as poor mental health.

  • To do better - Some substances can alter people’s brains to show a different reality in which they feel they can do things better than they can without substances.

  • Curiosity - Peer-pressure and drugs in their everyday environment are the main reasons people start abusing substances at the young age. They want to “fit in” or see why all the people in their lives are doing this.

  • To feel good - For many, drugs and alcohol are an easy way to escape reality and the bad parts of your life. But, relying on substances to feel good is extremely dangerous and can lead to serious addiction down the line.

Types of SUBSTANCES (IACP)

There are many different types of substances that affect people differently. Some can be found more easily than others, but addiction can start with any one of them. So, it’s important to be careful, especially with substances that are easily accessible such as alcohol or prescription drugs. The categories can be broken down into 7 major categories:

  1. Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants - slow down how the body and brain operate

  2. Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants - “speed up” the body by accelerating heart rate and elevating blood pressure

  3. Hallucinogens - alter reality to make people see things differently from how they actually are

  4. Dissociative Anesthetics - stop pain by cutting off the brain’s perception of pain

  5. Narcotic Analgesics - relieve pain and create mood changes

  6. Inhalants - breathable substance that produce mind-altering effects

  7. Cannabis - marijuana