Substance abuse occurs when you use a drug in a harmful way.
Pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes
Commonly Abused Drugs
Alcohol
Prescription and Over the Counter Medicine
Heroin
Cocaine
Marijuana
Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products
Formal Diagnostic Criteria
1. Taking a substance in larger amounts than intended 2. Persistent desire or unsuccessful attempt to reduce or control the use of a substance 3. Large amounts of time is spent on obtaining, using, or recovering from the substance 4. Strong desire to use the substance 5. Consistent substance use leading to the inability to fulfil responsibilities in life 6. Important social, occupational or recreational activities are given up due to usage of a substance
Risk Factors
Family history of addiction
Genetic predisposition to addiction or exposure to alcohol prenatally
Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences
Mental health conditions (depression, anxiety etc)
Use of drugs in early years of life (teenage years)
Common Stressors
Stress from work
Peer Pressure
Lack of psychological support to deal with pressure and trauma experienced at work influence the use of psychoactive substances as coping strategies
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