What is substance use?
Substance use is the consumption of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, stimulants, illegal drugs, and more. Many people will consume substances such as alcohol, caffeine, or prescription medication throughout their lives with no problems. In some cases, however, substance use can lead to substance misuse, abuse, addiction, or many other issues. Education on this topic can prevent harm associated with substance use including injury, illness or death.
As previously mentioned, there are problems associated with using substances. This includes substance misuse, substance abuse, and addiction. Many of the drugs or substances that are commonly misused and abused are legal with the prescription from a physician.
Substance misuse, abuse, and addiction:
Substance misuse is defined as “the use of a substance for purposes other than those intended by the manufacturer, or exceeding the recommended dosage.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, Canadian Red Cross) This can be either intentional or unintentional. An example of this would include taking a second dose of a sleeping pill because you have not yet felt the effects of the first dose. Substance abuse is defined as “the deliberate, persistent, and/or excessive use of a substance without regard to health concerns or accepted medical practices.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC). An example of this includes taking a friend’s prescription stimulant, Adderall, to help you focus during each of your exams. Addiction (or severe substance use disorder) occurs when a person cannot control how they use a substance, and they become dependent on it to cope with daily life. This leads to problems with work, family life, relationships, and mental health.
Overdoses are possible when someone misuses, abuses, or is addicted to a substance. An overdose occurs “when a person takes too much of a substance, producing toxic (poisonous) or fatal effects in the body.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC) This can occur either intentionally or unintentionally. An example of an unintentional overdose is if an older person forgets they have already taken a medication and takes another dose. Unintentional overdose can also occur if a person taking a substance such as marijuana or cocaine does not know it is laced with a different drug such as fentanyl. Overdoses can also be intentional, such as in a suicide attempt.
Withdrawal effects are inevitable for those with an addiction. Withdrawal is the body’s natural response to no longer having a regularly used drug or substance in its system, and it occurs because the body has become so accustomed to its presence that it can no longer function as “normal” without the drug. The withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the severity and the length of substance use. Common effects include extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and psychosis. Withdrawal effects often begin about 24 hours after last substance use, and can last for many days, however this varies a lot based on the circumstances.
What are common types of substances and why do people use them?
The three basic categories of substances are:
Stimulants affect the Central Nervous System by speeding up physical and mental activity. They can temporarily make a person feel more alert, improve performance, and reduce sleepiness. Stimulants are prescribed for treating many medical conditions, such as asthma and ADHD. There are two types of drug behind every brand-name stimulant medication: amphetamine and methylphenidate. Stimulants, however, do not just come in the form of prescription medications. There are legal stimulants that are very popular such as caffeine or nicotine. There are also illegal stimulants such as Cocaine and Meth. A person using stimulants may appear to be restless, hyper, talkative, and aggressive. In some cases, stimulant use can cause heart irregularities, respiratory emergencies, and even death.
Depressants affect the Central Nervous System by slowing down physical and mental activity. They relieve anxiety and pain, can cause a person to feel sleepy, and can relax the muscles. Depressants are usually prescribed to help a person suffering from anxiety, sleeplessness, and extreme pain. The most common types of depressants include alcohol, opioids, sleeping pills, and anxiety medication such as Xanax. Depressants, however, can negatively affect a person’s coordination and thinking, they can depress respiration and cause loss of consciousness. When taken in large doses, the effects on the body are toxic and can be lethal, posing the same risks for overdose as most drugs. A person taking depressants may appear drowsy, confused and be speaking in a slow and slurred maner.
Hallucinogens affect the Central Nervous System in a similar way to stimulants however they are not used to treat any medical conditions. Hallucinogens cause extreme mood and perception changes, and can alter a person’s thoughts, emotion and sense of self. They also often produce extreme hallucinations and delusions. The most commonly abused hallucinogens are lysergic asid (LSD or acid), Psilocybin (shrooms) and Phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust). A person on hallucinogens will likely show sudden mood changes, have a flushed face, seem irrational, and may report seeing or hearing something that is not present. They may also appear to be anxious or threatened by something.
Seeking help:
If you are suffering with a substance abuse problem or addiction, it is important to know how to get help. When you decide you are ready for recovery, there are many options available for your treatment, such as:
If you have questions or concerns about substance use, or are looking for programs in the Thames Valley region, you will find helpful information here (Addiction Services of Thames Valley).
*Please note that in the event of an emergency or a serious overdose, always call 911 (EMS)
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
Melinda. (n.d.). Overcoming Drug Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm
Substance use is the consumption of alcohol, marijuana, opioids, stimulants, illegal drugs, and more. Many people will consume substances such as alcohol, caffeine, or prescription medication throughout their lives with no problems. In some cases, however, substance use can lead to substance misuse, abuse, addiction, or many other issues. Education on this topic can prevent harm associated with substance use including injury, illness or death.
As previously mentioned, there are problems associated with using substances. This includes substance misuse, substance abuse, and addiction. Many of the drugs or substances that are commonly misused and abused are legal with the prescription from a physician.
Substance misuse, abuse, and addiction:
Substance misuse is defined as “the use of a substance for purposes other than those intended by the manufacturer, or exceeding the recommended dosage.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, Canadian Red Cross) This can be either intentional or unintentional. An example of this would include taking a second dose of a sleeping pill because you have not yet felt the effects of the first dose. Substance abuse is defined as “the deliberate, persistent, and/or excessive use of a substance without regard to health concerns or accepted medical practices.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC). An example of this includes taking a friend’s prescription stimulant, Adderall, to help you focus during each of your exams. Addiction (or severe substance use disorder) occurs when a person cannot control how they use a substance, and they become dependent on it to cope with daily life. This leads to problems with work, family life, relationships, and mental health.
Overdoses are possible when someone misuses, abuses, or is addicted to a substance. An overdose occurs “when a person takes too much of a substance, producing toxic (poisonous) or fatal effects in the body.” (Emergency Care for Professional Responders, CRC) This can occur either intentionally or unintentionally. An example of an unintentional overdose is if an older person forgets they have already taken a medication and takes another dose. Unintentional overdose can also occur if a person taking a substance such as marijuana or cocaine does not know it is laced with a different drug such as fentanyl. Overdoses can also be intentional, such as in a suicide attempt.
Withdrawal effects are inevitable for those with an addiction. Withdrawal is the body’s natural response to no longer having a regularly used drug or substance in its system, and it occurs because the body has become so accustomed to its presence that it can no longer function as “normal” without the drug. The withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the severity and the length of substance use. Common effects include extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and psychosis. Withdrawal effects often begin about 24 hours after last substance use, and can last for many days, however this varies a lot based on the circumstances.
What are common types of substances and why do people use them?
The three basic categories of substances are:
- Stimulants
- Depressants
- Hallucinogens
Stimulants affect the Central Nervous System by speeding up physical and mental activity. They can temporarily make a person feel more alert, improve performance, and reduce sleepiness. Stimulants are prescribed for treating many medical conditions, such as asthma and ADHD. There are two types of drug behind every brand-name stimulant medication: amphetamine and methylphenidate. Stimulants, however, do not just come in the form of prescription medications. There are legal stimulants that are very popular such as caffeine or nicotine. There are also illegal stimulants such as Cocaine and Meth. A person using stimulants may appear to be restless, hyper, talkative, and aggressive. In some cases, stimulant use can cause heart irregularities, respiratory emergencies, and even death.
Depressants affect the Central Nervous System by slowing down physical and mental activity. They relieve anxiety and pain, can cause a person to feel sleepy, and can relax the muscles. Depressants are usually prescribed to help a person suffering from anxiety, sleeplessness, and extreme pain. The most common types of depressants include alcohol, opioids, sleeping pills, and anxiety medication such as Xanax. Depressants, however, can negatively affect a person’s coordination and thinking, they can depress respiration and cause loss of consciousness. When taken in large doses, the effects on the body are toxic and can be lethal, posing the same risks for overdose as most drugs. A person taking depressants may appear drowsy, confused and be speaking in a slow and slurred maner.
Hallucinogens affect the Central Nervous System in a similar way to stimulants however they are not used to treat any medical conditions. Hallucinogens cause extreme mood and perception changes, and can alter a person’s thoughts, emotion and sense of self. They also often produce extreme hallucinations and delusions. The most commonly abused hallucinogens are lysergic asid (LSD or acid), Psilocybin (shrooms) and Phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust). A person on hallucinogens will likely show sudden mood changes, have a flushed face, seem irrational, and may report seeing or hearing something that is not present. They may also appear to be anxious or threatened by something.
Seeking help:
If you are suffering with a substance abuse problem or addiction, it is important to know how to get help. When you decide you are ready for recovery, there are many options available for your treatment, such as:
- Detoxification
- Behavioural counselling
- Medication
- Long-term and regular group meetings
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Outpatient treatment
- Sober living communities
If you have questions or concerns about substance use, or are looking for programs in the Thames Valley region, you will find helpful information here (Addiction Services of Thames Valley).
*Please note that in the event of an emergency or a serious overdose, always call 911 (EMS)
Sources:
Emergency Care for Professional Responders. (2019). Ottawa: Canadian Red Cross Society.
Melinda. (n.d.). Overcoming Drug Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm
ONSite Medical Response. Event Medical Service.
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