What is substance abuse?

Using drugs and alcohol is often seen as a way to solve many problems. If you or a friend are trying to cope by using tobacco, alcohol, street or prescription drugs, this is the place to talk to someone who can help.

What is substance abuse?
Are their different kinds of drugs & alcohol?
Do I have a problem with drugs & alcohol?
Why do I have a problem with drugs & alcohol?
Is it my fault?
How do I get help?
How can Nineline help me?
meet a Covenant House kid
visit our forum on drugs
download info on drugs (pdf)
abuse information for caregivers

When you use tobacco, drugs or alcohol, you are taking a chemical into your body and, in fact, changing or altering your body chemistry. Usually these substances improve your mood, but they can also lead to unexpected changes in your behavior and your health.

If you use drugs or alcohol regularly to overcome the stress in your life you may have a problem that could lead to addiction. Using drugs or alcohol might make you feel relaxed at first but over time they may force you to lose control over your mind and body and do things you wouldn’t normally do. You might find that drugs and alcohol relieve your stress so easily that you want to use them again and again.

You might experience the world as "different," or even better than you normally see it, when you’re under the influence. You might also behave differently and your body might respond differently. For example, drinking a moderate amount of beer might make you feel relaxed, see the world as a better place and act more polite and generous to people. But if you drink too much, you might see the world as a dangerous place, act hostile and aggressive, and lose control over your body. Eventually, you might get into a fight or do something you wouldn't normally do. You might ultimately pass out or fall asleep somewhere (on a subway, bus station, park, sidewalk, etc.). Losing control like this is called "substance abuse."

Excessive substance abuse can affect your behavior, your relationships and, ultimately, your health. It might alienate you from friends and family, interfere with school or work and even lead to health problems. If you drink and/or use drugs over and over again in spite of serious social and health consequences, you may have a serious chemical addiction that needs to be treated.