Substance Abuse: Realizing You Have a Problem

Substance abuse is one of those tricky phrases that aren’t as easy to define as one might think at first. In the simplest terms, substance abuse is defined as a pattern of dangerous use of any substance, most typically for mood-altering reasons. In today’s society, however, a substance that can be abused ranges from anabolic steroids and inhalants to the “harder” drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
When most people think of substance abuse, they connect the phrase to the use of illegal drugs. These drugs were deemed illegal for a reason: these drugs have negative affects on the user’s health and can lead to serious financial and addiction issues. However, legal substances are being abused more and more in contemporary times. So the definition of substance abuse has definitely broadened in the past twenty years to include prescription and over the counter medications as well as inhalants and solvents that younger people are “huffing.” Even alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine are among the more common substances that addicts have abused throughout the past (and present).
For many substances, the line between use and abuse is blurry. If you drink at least five cups of coffee every morning to start your day, is this abuse? If you drink a couple of glasses of wine each evening to wind down, is this abuse? If you smoke a cigarette each morning as you wake up and each evening before you sleep, is this abuse, or simply recreational use? In these instances, it is up to the user to define whether or not his or her actions are abusive and harmful.
There are several signs of substance abuse and addiction that can help someone to realize whether or not he or she has a problem. If a person finds him- or herself using when alone, this can be an alert to a possible problem. Likewise, substituting one drug for another and using drugs regularly at specific times of the day are signs of abuse. If you find yourself going to insane lengths to obtain your drug of choice, there is almost certainly a problem. This can include stealing drugs or stealing money in order to obtain drugs and even lying to your physician in order to obtain prescription medications. The way you feel about yourself and your drug use is another way to tell if you have a problem. Do you find yourself avoiding people who do not approve of your behavior when it comes to using drugs? Do you feel ashamed or guilty when you use drugs? If so, then you should seek help.
Recognizing what substance abuse means and if it applies to you is just the first step in getting help for your drug problems. Next, you will need to seek a rehabilitation center or drug treatment center to help you to cope with your problems.

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