What Is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is when someone uses drugs or alcohol so much that it starts to harm their health and life. It can start in different ways. Some people try drugs or alcohol with friends, while others may get addicted to medicine given by a doctor. Substances like alcohol, marijuana, and painkillers can change how the brain works, making it hard to stop using them even when they cause problems.

When you use these substances, your brain releases a dopamine chemical that makes you feel good. But over time, your brain wants more of this feeling, even if it hurts you. This can affect your emotions, friendships, school, and health. Sometimes, it can be hazardous.

As time goes on, people might need to take more of the substance just to feel okay. If they try to stop, they may feel intense cravings and get sick—these are called withdrawal symptoms. But there is good news: help is always available. Doctors, friends, family, and treatment programs can help someone overcome substance abuse. The sooner someone gets help, the better they can feel and start living healthier lives.

Substance Abuse Symptoms

Substance abuse can be hard to spot, but knowing the signs can help. Here are some common symptoms that show someone might be struggling with substance abuse:

Using drugs or alcohol regularly, even daily, or several times a day.
Having intense cravings that makes it hard to focus on anything else.
More significant amounts of the substance are needed to feel the same effects over time.
Taking more of the substance or using it longer than planned.
Struggling to keep up with school, work, or home responsibilities due to substance use.
Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the substance.
Continuing to use the substance even when it causes health or relationship problems.
Stopping hobbies or social activities because of substance use.
Taking risks, like driving or doing dangerous things while under the influence.
Feeling sick, anxious, or shaky when not using the substance (withdrawal symptoms).
Trying to quit but not being able to stop.

Substance Abuse Causes

There isn’t a straightforward reason why people develop substance abuse problems. It happens for different reasons and can be a mix of many factors. One primary reason is how drugs or alcohol change the brain. When someone uses them, their brain releases a dopamine chemical that makes them feel excellent. This feeling can make them want to keep using the substance. Over time, the brain gets used to it, and the person needs more substance to feel the same way.

Peer Pressure: Friends or family who use drugs or alcohol can make someone want to try it too.
Curiosity: Some people use substances to know what it feels like.
Stress Relief: People might turn to drugs or alcohol to handle stress, anxiety, or sadness.
Wanting To Do Better: Some use substances to feel they can perform better at school, sports, or work.
Family History: If someone has a family member with a substance problem, they are more likely to have one too. Genetics can play a big part in this.
Mental Health Issues: People with conditions like depression or anxiety are at higher risk.
Environment: Growing up in a home where drugs or alcohol are around or easy to get can lead to problems. Challenging experiences in childhood, like trauma, can also increase the risk.

Substance Abuse Diagnosis

Doctors and specialists look at how a person uses a substance and how it affects their life to diagnose substance abuse. Here’s what they might do:

They ask questions about the person’s use of drugs or alcohol and related behaviours.
They might talk to close family members or friends for more information.
A physical exam may be done to check the person’s overall health.
Blood and urine tests might be used to see what substances are in the body and rule out other health problems.
The doctor checks for any mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, that often happen along with substance abuse.
Doctors use guidelines from a book called the DSM-5 to diagnose substance use disorder by looking for at least two signs over a year.

The condition can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how many signs a person shows. Getting a diagnosis helps the person find the right kind of help and treatment.