When the term “substance abuse” is mentioned, some people may think it includes just illegal drugs. However, substance abuse is a problem that includes a wide range of substances. In fact, most doctors and medical professionals agree that substance abuse includes the use of virtually any substance to achieve a high or alter a mood in some way.
Some of the more common types of substance abuse include:
• Alcohol. Many people enjoy an occasional beer or glass of wine and can function perfectly normal. Others come to depend on alcohol as a way to relieve stress or depression. As a result, the dependence negatively affects their relationships, their jobs, and their lives in general.
• Prescription drugs. The use of prescription drugs illegally has skyrocketed in recent years. More and more people are using painkillers, ADHD medication, sleeping pills, and many other drugs as a way to get high rather than treat an illness. More often than not, these drugs are not even prescribed to them.
• Over-the-counter medications. For many people, substance abuse comes from medications like cold and cough medicine that can be purchased by anyone at a local drug store.
• Illicit drugs. Substance abuse can also take the form of drugs like marijuana, crack, heroine, and LSD, to name a few of many. Possession of these illegal drugs can land a person in jail for years at a time and ruin lives and finances in the process.
• Household items. Sniffing glue, huffing aerosol cans, and using other household items to get high or alter moods is also a form of substance abuse.
As you can see, substance abuse is not just using illegal drugs. It can come in many forms, and more often than not, relatives, co-workers, and friends may not even know the person has a problem with substance abuse.