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What is considered substance abuse?

108 Answers
Last Updated: 06/02/2022 at 4:46am
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Top Rated Answers
Anonfriend13796
November 11th, 2018 9:38am
Substance abuse is when you take drugs or alcohol to an extent that you become dependent on it. You may have stated taking the drug for recreational purposes or under peer pressure but after a point you start doing it just for the sake of it to escape reality which often ends up making you feel worse, depressed and guilty all the more. Further more it may lead to addiction without which your body may start showing withdrawal symptoms. It is a humble request. Please steer clear of drugs or any substance that alters your mental state. They have disastrous consequences.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2019 2:51am
Substance Abuse is using something external to fill an internal void. And putting that thing above all others in your life. It can be actual items or actions. Substance abuse can be as simply defined as drugs or alcohol. It can also be food or gambling or sex. It can be a state of being or an environment that you create to escape reality. All human beings abuse some sort of "substance" and we justify it brilliantly in most cases. Substance abuse involves so much manipulation and dishonesty, mostly with ourselves. Substance abuse is merely a symptom of a much deeper problem.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2019 8:41pm
I believe substance abuse is when you continuously over use a substance, especially to numb pain. When you feel any kind of pain, mental or physical and you find a substance to abuse and you completely lose self control and dont care that you're using it very often. You become very attached to the feeling the substance gives you and you dont want to stop using it. It becomes your crutch, it becomes what you're used to. It becomes your every thought. Could have started so innocently, but now youre addicted and cant stop. Ive personally suffered substance abuse.
lemonkoala
May 8th, 2019 5:07am
Using substances of any kind to escape problems and to feel happy. It becomes a true issue when your life revolves around it and you cannot live without it. People like to joke about being addicted to certain drugs while just starting them or doing them occasionally, but then it becomes such a part of their life that they feel they need that to experience happiness or as a part of their daily routine, and feel empty without it. Substances can be used if used in moderation and appropriately, as well as acknowledging the risks and knowing when to use and when not to use, but it becomes a very serious issue when someone goes to extreme lengths to obtain a substance or they begin using so frequently it disrupts their everyday life.
Anonymous
June 14th, 2019 6:34am
Substance abuse is pretty tricky and hard to see at first. It's like a little devil in disguise. Personally I started drinking as a kid because I thought I was cool. First red flag. Using substances underage can block neuron path ways from growing in the decision making part of the brain. Personally I drank to self medicate. Using drugs or alcohol to mask feelings or to stop feelings from happening is when you're in the substance abuse territory. This topic is no fun at all and almost seems lame in a way. Over the months I learned that substance abuse made my current problems worse my suppressing my feelings making it harder to recover. I hope I was of some help you to! Hang in there! :)
Anonymous
August 24th, 2019 11:39pm
When you feel the need for the substance to enjoy yourself. Or when you use it it causes pain to you, your friends, family or loved ones. Also it’s abuse if it causes issues to your work life, social life or personal life. Basically if you are seeing or experiencing any negative affects in your life or the lives of people close to you. It can also be abuse if it affecting your physical and or emotion health. If it causes you financial strain or issues it can also be considered substance abuse. It’s ok to enjoy legal activities as long as the affects are not harming any of these areas.
Anonymous
September 11th, 2019 4:35am
Substance abuse occurs when you are using drugs or alcohol to help feel better. This is when you are using drugs or alcohol to cope and is often seen as an addiction. You rather be self-medicated than sober because once you've sobered up you have no choice but of that to deal with your problems and issues. Substance abuse is when you beginning depending on drugs or alcohol to fix your issues and sadly those with depressive disorders and other mental disorders are way more likely to develop a dependence on drugs or alcohol than that of a person who doesn't have these mental disorders.
brianna67
October 11th, 2019 5:00pm
Substance abuse or addiction is continued usage of a substance despite negative consequences (like losing friends/family or going into debt). Substance abuse is a mental disorder, just like depression or anxiety. It's often comorbid with other mental disorders and can have a genetic basis. Substance abuse does not necessarily mean withdrawal but withdrawal symptoms are usually part of substance abuse. For example, if someone drinks coffee everyday and gets a headache when they stop, that's a withdrawal symptom. But it doesn't mean they have a problem with substance abuse because the coffee is not causing negative events in their life.
Anonymous
October 13th, 2019 6:25pm
The definition of substance abuse is very subjective. It could be looked at as "overindulgence", but then this doesn't offer any real clarity. Perhaps the best way to determine if some action is considered abusive is to look for any strong, negative outcomes in the person's life. If someone is experiencing things like loss of their job, lack of personal care, loss of relationships, financial instability or mood problems - then it would seem reasonable to suggest that the use of substances has reached a problematic level
peacefulLight8704
October 17th, 2019 1:39am
Substance abuse is when you abuse any substance in a way that is detrimental to your health. It is pretty much just that. Substance abuse can cause a variety of health problems depending on what substance that you are mis using. These may include liver damage, lung issues, heart problems, digestive issues.....any time you use a substance in a way that is damaging to you, that is substance abuse. Some examples would be drug use, vaping to a detriment, smoking, alcoholism, using diet pills too much, misusing laxatives, and many more. Those definitely aren't the only ones. If you are suffering, please reach out to an addiction hotline
kesu90
November 27th, 2019 10:36am
A chronic use of some drugs or any substances including alcohol often taken externally which causes a certain behavior or mood for individuals. It can be different from substance dependence as substance abuse can cause a significant amount of change in behaviors whereas the later may not be a addiction. These substances can be of four variants - depressant, stimulants, opium linked pain killers or hallucinogens. Substance abuse could lead to building of substance tolerance. This can be very dangerous as the receptor will end up using more marginally higher quantity of such substances to get the desired effects. Initially people start with a gateway substance but later move on to hard core chemicals.
Anonymous
December 21st, 2019 9:31pm
In my opinion substance abuse means when substance use becomes a problem. According CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada): Two important signs that a person's substance use is risky, or i already a problem, are harmful consequences and loss of control. When talking about substance abuse, the word "addiction" is also coming to mind. Addiction is often used to refer to any behavior that is out of control in some way. The word is also used to explain the experience of withdrawal when a substance is stopped. A simple way of describing addiction is the presence of the 4 C's: craving, loss of control of amount or frequency of use, compulsion to use and use despite consequences.
SophieWX
January 30th, 2020 5:57am
Substance abuse is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others, in other words, if you start using a certain drug in bigger amounts than needed and prescribed, it is most likely substance abuse. Though I would recommend against deciding upon that yourself, the best idea is the consult a professional to determine what it is.
Anonymous
February 1st, 2020 4:15pm
Substance abuse is when someone intakes too much alcohol, drugs, or any other substance that alters their way of reality. Most times, the person is aware of their obvious intake of an irresponsible amount of the substance. They use is daily and, when it comes to it, don't accept help for it right away. Their abuse of the substance harms not only themselves, but the people around them like children, parents, friends, co-workers, and so on. Substance abuse makes the person dependent on whatever they are abusing, and that can lead to a decline in money and all around health for that person.
ChhotiChhotiBatein
February 12th, 2020 5:27am
There are some harmful substances, the use or intake of these substances is called Substance Abuse These substances activate the brain and are also called Psycho-active substances. They give the person who take them a high. They are very addictive and cause dependence. People who start taking them develop a strong urge to keep taking it. The frequency increases and they take them more often and in increased quantity. They cannot control these urges resulting in them being unable to do other tasks without them and as time goes by they experience physical withdrawal and other serious health implications which may result in their being institutionalized.
Feelingsmatter
February 21st, 2020 3:13pm
This is actually a tricky question because there are many definitions for SUBSTANCE ABUSE. So here goes my definition based on DSM 5 (5th version of the Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) : Substance abuse is the intake of something (a substance) that impairs you; generally we speak of drugs or alcohol, but it includes any type of chemical or substance that is mood altering. In order to be considered "abuse", you must intake the mood altering substance in many occasions and this constant intake must affect your day to day functioning or interactions causing it to be a constant problem in your life.
AdmiralAkmir
February 29th, 2020 2:02am
A person must take a deep and honest look at their habit and ask how that habit is impacting their life. Does the habit produce shame? Does the habit create distance from friends and family? Is there a strong desire or craving to seek out the substance of the habit? Is the habit a mechanism to deal with stress or other negative feelings? Does the habit cause harm to the body or mind? Has the person tried to cut back or moderate unsuccessfully? We have a remarkable ability to identify when things are unhealthy for us. Most of the time, deep down inside we know when an action we're doing is not right, but often times the addictive voice speaks loudly and creates confusion. Mindfulness and self-inquiry can help resolve these struggles so that we can see clearly how our actions have impacted us.
sunsetdragon
March 28th, 2020 12:29am
Anything that is addictive is harmful. Even something as simple as caffeine can be a substance that you can use abusively. Addiction is that most harmful aspect, in my perspective. You get hooked and then you can't live without it, enslaving you to something that should not control your life. I personally have started to battle this question. My body cannot produce certain hormones that are necessary for me to function normally. I had to decide whether taking hormonal pills for the rest of my life was something I wanted to do. Life is definitely hard without those hormones being produced in my body, but I decided that I wouldn't take them because at that point, I really would have to do them for the rest of my life. I really want to have children, and wouldn't be able to stay pregnant with these drugs. It's a matter of deciding what is important to you. Your freedom, or momentary happiness that has to be renewed regularly.
Anonymous
April 5th, 2020 4:37pm
I would consider it to be substance abuse when you let a certain drug, alcohol or any other substance overtake your daily life and decisions. When you can't go without doing the substance and start to lose control on the other things that'd you like to do and are important to you for example spending time with loved ones, going to work or school and etc. But instead you are constantly trying to get high or drunk that's when I term it as substance abuse. Also, all of these changes that it causes in your life due to your dependency on the substance are usually negatively impacting ones.
Anonymous
May 29th, 2020 1:05am
I think using a substance becomes substance abuse when you begin to give up your other hobbies in favour of the substance, and you realize that your mind is constantly thinking of the substance when you are not taking it. You begin to feel normal only when you take the substance and slowly the amount you began with seems to increase as the euphoric feeling you once had from a minimal amount of the substance decreases. Moreover, it becomes substance abuse when the substance consumes your thoughts, hobbies, relationships and life and replaces them with itself. The drug becomes your life.
glisteningTime5293
June 4th, 2020 8:40pm
what is considered substance abuse is when you use a drug almost everyday and can’t stop even if you want to and you keep using it until you realize yourself that you need to stop but you can’t stop because you are addicted to that substance and no one can stop you from doing the substance because you are so addicted and you over use the substance and you can’t stop yourself because it makes you feel good but even you know it’s bad for your health and your mental health that is what i consider as substance abuse
Anonymous
June 10th, 2020 7:49am
Substance abuse is when you use a substance out of proportion. Once it becomes toxic and harmful to your body and even the people around you, use becomes abuse. Some substances are used for mainly pleasure, but once you use it in a way that hurt yourself, it borderlines on self-harm. This is super unhealthy and once a habit, it is called addiction. If your body becomes solely reliant on a substance, you are more likely to abuse the substance. Everything is okay in moderation. The second you overdo the intake, it turns into an abusive usage. Keep a balance!
Anonymous
June 10th, 2020 4:04pm
Substance abuse is using a substance to solve problems. These substances could feel as a cure to help but it could really make it so much worse. This isn’t a good way to cope with problems. There are plenty of other ways for one to try and solve their problems. If they cannot solve their problems, there are plenty of ways for one to help. Talking to friends, family and it a therapist is a great way to help with problems. Exercise is also a great way to cope and is scientifically proven to help and make others happy.
RhiannaCunningham
July 10th, 2020 4:05pm
In my opinion substance abuse is using a substance which is not prescribed or a prescribed substance in a way other than how it is prescribed for use. For example taking more painkillers than prescribed. I had previous issues with illegal drugs and had physical and emotional addictions which would make it substance abuse. Substance abuse affects everyone around you including family and friends not just you. If you think you have substance abuse issues please reach out to someone(I’m here to listen and try help also) and try address your issues sooner rather than later because every day could be a day too late
darija64
July 25th, 2020 10:12am
Substance abuse is considered using alchoholic beverages, drugs, nicotine and other substances in a way which harms your overall health and everyday functioning. The term substance abuse is referred to using some substance in a way you think that it's helping you to get away from your problems and/or negative emotions that you experience wether daily or on occasion. It harms person's overall health, it affects the internal organs as well as damages your psychological state of being. It affects your relationships with other people, it makes it harder to deal with your problems and it is a pattern of behavioral changes that can be changed but with a lot of help from professionals and/or close ones.
acloudwithasilverlining
August 1st, 2020 1:25pm
Substance abuse is when an individual engages in an illegal act by exceeding the use of a substance beyond its legal or permitted limits and eventually becomes dependent on it. Using any substance in a higher amount, with a higher frequency and/or for a prolonged period of time than is recommended and permitted by authorities and law contributes to substance abuse. This also leads to a psychological and physical dependency that impairs the individual's judgement, especially with regards to consumption of their substance/substances of abuse. It can occur with prescription drugs, illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other nicotine products, solvents and even novel psychoactive substances.
proudPeace77
August 2nd, 2020 10:43am
Drugs, alcohol, glue sniffing, paint sniffing, anything that gets people high and makes them feel better about themselves, but predominantly makes them feel worse and some people pay lots of money for it for no reward, and it makes them lose friends, family and jobs and limits their life. We must ask these people what led them to become like this, and if they are willing to change, and show them a better way of spending their life, such as readding, or cooking, gardening or playing a musical instrument. Asking them what their favourite music is, or what their favourite tv programmes are, and try to encourage them to have a more healthier distraction. We can also suggest that they refer themselves to their doctor or specialist services.
Anonymous
August 5th, 2020 8:24pm
Substance abuse is when you overuse a substance and become addicted to it or it starts affecting your everyday life. Often times people with substance abuse don't think they have a problem. They think they can stop whenever they want to, but they dont. Substance abuse can also be when you try to mask feelings or run away from something by using alcohol or other substances. Overdosing or frequently using substances to the point where you are addicted are also forms of substance abuse. Substance abuse can pose possible physical, psychological and social harm. It can alter your brain and your behavior.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2020 2:37am
Substance use is considered the use of drugs and alcohol, including illegal drugs, cigarettes, solvents, and inhalants. There can be substance misuse of prescription drugs Substance use can become a problem when it impacts one mental health and overall well-being. People use substances for multiple reasons including boredom, in social situations, trauma, and pain. Not everyone who uses substances will develop a substance mis-use issue, for example some people can drink socially when others can develop an addiction to consuming alcohol. Its important for people to understand the subtances they are using and some of their side-effects so that individuals are fully informed when using substances.
Anonymous
October 24th, 2020 6:43pm
I think that substance abuse is when you require the substance to live, or that you feel as if you need a substance to go on living. Excessive use of substances can also be a sign of abuse as well, for example if you are constantly getting drunk on a regular basis, then you may have a substance abuse issue. Also when you constantly take the substance, and get withdrawal symptoms after going off the substance for a short time also indicates that you might have a substance abuse problem. Substance Abuse can show itself in many, many different ways depending on the person.