Substance Abuse Basics

There is a lot of definitions of 'substance abuse'. They may vary depending on the source of information. However, there are some commonalities, some specific features are inherent and accurate determining. As simply as possible, substance abuse is term that refers to the overuse of chemical substances, including drugs (i.e. drugs abuse). They influence one's health either by physiological (abuse / addiction influence on physical health) or psychological way (abuse / addiction influence on mental health). Substance abuse is a chronic illness. What can we say more about substance or drug abuse and chemical dependency? Who's addicted and who's still not? Where is the border between real disease and for example just for fun social-drinking? Start to explore SubstanceAbuseInfo.com!

Question: What is substance abuse key problem?
Answer: substances.

Use of chemical substances that influence our physical and mental health is undoubtly a big problem we have to stand up to nowadays. You have to remember that chemical dependency does not only refer to substances which are prohibited by law (illegal substances), but very often or even maybe in the majority of cases, problem touches bioactive substances which are widely and easily available – legal substances that can be bought like ethanol (ingredient of every alcohol beverage), or prescribed by doctor (drug prescription).

Abuse classic sign – cigarette immediately after rouse

Let me just mention to you one thing – there are thousands of thousands of people who wake up in the morning, stretch out and stand in the window to smoke. They can't eat breakfast because first thing they have to do is to smoke a cigarette. I know about few of such a people and used to be one of them. I mean that availability of some abuse developing substances (in supermarkets, pharmacies) makes substance abuse part of everyday life of each of us.

It's all about pleasure...

Of course smoking cigarettes in your own window is not breaking a law. Imagine one of those mentioned above. It's possible that he smiles after first smoke breath as lot of smokers sometimes do. He's relaxed and happy. It's true that substance abuse may occur without any significant symptoms of physiological substance dependence and addiction. But we have to remember that it's always a small step from being addicted, i.e. just one step from disease indeed. Reasons of using chemical substances are various but one of the most is that our brain and body like to feel nice. All drugs that are addicting can activate and affect the brain's pleasure circuit (one of most important parts of brain responsible for ability to feel pleasure is called 'Nucleus accumbens'). It's all about pleasure. And that's why our friend at the window smiles. That's why he likes smoking in the morning whilst others eat breakfast. (read more in 'Psychological addiction' article).

Substance abuse drives to problems

Generally speaking use of some specific substances becomes an abuse when it becomes problematic and pathological. Overusing of everything leads to problems. Typical problems related to substance abuse can be divided into four main groups:

• medical problems (health breakdown, it also concerns mental health),
• social problems (interpersonal conflicts, problems with and at work),
• financial problems (cost of chemical substance ingestion is high and in consequence negatively influences livelihood and makes satisfying someone's basic needs impossible),
• legal problems (some psychoactive substances are prohibited by law and financial problems lead to crimes like burglary).

When problem – which we could put in one of categories above – arise it's clear signal that you, or someone is abused. In other words presence of health / legal / social / financial problem is one of key factors confirming being abused. It is like red light on the crossroad. Pull brakes down! – someone would say. Unfortunately it is not so simple. People who are abused are one step from being in chemical dependence state and being addicted. They usually do not recognize 'abuse red light', though they still would be able to recognize red light on the crossroad. And so they do not pull over.

Syndromes & signs – early recognition can be crucial

Syndromes and signs of substance abuse vary depending on the type of abuse. However, list in 'Signs of substance abuse and addiction' article can help you to recognize that someone – your child, friend, or someone else – abuses substances. Remember that the earlier substance abuse will be recognized the bigger chances for successful treatment will be.

Drug abuse and general chemical dependence, as was said before, is a big problem of modern world. As well as smoking and alcoholism, those 'unhealthy' activities are suspected to be reasons (among other factors) of so-called lifestyle diseases (or diseases of civilization) like: cancer, liver and heart disease, depression... You know that this list could be longer.

This website was created to help people who want to get to know substance abuse and addictions better because they are abused, addicted, or knows such a person. This webiste helps you to help yourself or others. Feel free to explore. And... good luck with fighting your addiction!