Understanding Substance Abuse: Types, Causes And Warning Signs

Summary -

Substance abuse is the harmful or uncontrolled use of substances such as alcohol, tobacco, stimulants, and opioids. It can develop due to factors such as curiosity, peer pressure, emotional distress, family environment, trauma, and difficulty coping with stress. Common warning signs include cravings, mood or sleep changes, irritability, poor concentration, neglected responsibilities, relationship problems, secretive behaviour, and continued use despite harmful effects. Early recognition and professional support can help a person understand triggers, develop healthier coping strategies, and begin recovery.

Introduction -

Have you ever wondered how a person gets into abusing substances in the first place?

I first thought about it when I came across a project as part of my curriculum in 12th grade, for which I had to visit a rehabilitation centre, also known as ‘Nasha mukti kendra’. I saw people my age, younger and older, admitted because of substance abuse. I also spoke with their families while taking patient histories. Hearing how their substance use had started, and how unaware their parents were in the beginning, stayed with me.

Now, as a mental health professional, I come across similar cases quite often. During mental health awareness sessions in the field, we hear about children as young as 12 or 13 starting to use tobacco. Some even believe it is the “cool” thing to do.

For some people, substance use may begin with a friend offering a cigarette at college. Someone else may try ‘adult juice’ at a party just because everyone else is doing it. A person dealing with stress might start relying on a substance because it seems to help them feel better for a while. There is no single reason that we can point to as to why people use substances; it may be curiosity, peer pressure, family environment, emotional difficulties, or social situations, all of which play a part. What starts occasionally may, over time, become harder to control.

The problem is also larger than many people realise. According to a national survey on substance use, alcohol, cannabis, and opioids are some of the most used substances by a considerable number of people in the country. These stats illustrate the importance of raising awareness about it and where to get help.

What Does It Mean When We Say Substance Abuse?

In clinical terminology, substance abuse is the use of any drug, usually by self-administration, mostly in a manner which deviates/ differs from approved social or medical patterns. Some refer to substance abuse as addiction or substance use disorder. Each year, substance abuse impacts millions of people.

Alcohol, cannabis, and opioids are among the most commonly used substances in India, the national survey on substance use said. That's why awareness and early support are important.

The good news is that there is help. Mental health professionals like Mpower offer the best possible help for substance abuse.

Why Do People Start Using and Building Dependency on Substances?

There’s no single, simple answer. In my work as a mental health care and service provider, I have seen how different circumstances or situations can affect a person’s relationship with substances. Factors that have been commonly seen include:

• Curiosity or experimentation
• Peer pressure
• Wanting to “fit in”
• No work-life balance
• Difficult family relationships or dynamics
• Emotional distress
• Experiences that have caused trauma
• Exposure to substance use within the family
• Performance pressure
• No support with healthy ways to cope with stress

For some, the first experience may seem harmless. They may use a substance only at a party or with friends. The meaning of this is valid since for some people the use of substances is not related to staying away from difficult emotions. For such a person, substance abuse may transform into a habit that is linked to feelings of anxiety and frustration due to emotional problems.

This is an important distinction because not knowing the reasons behind the beginning of substance use is likely to complicate the search for a way to overcome the problem.

What Is The Difference Between Substance Use and Addiction?

People often confuse the two notions “substance abuse” and “addiction”. However, the two terms do not always mean the same thing in practice.

For instance, people may misuse substances with an understanding of their negative impact. At some point, they may come to realize their bad behavior and decide to quit. However, addiction is much worse as it implies a larger degree of dependence and loss of control.

For example, a college student may start to smoke cigarettes because their friends do it. Initially, they may want to look as if they do not care a lot about the opinion of others. When they eventually realize that smoking is harmful to their health, they might give up.

The experiences are different, which is why professional assessment can be useful. Instead of asking only, “Is this person addicted?”, it may be more helpful to ask:

• How often are they using the substance?
• Can they control how much they use?
• Are they experiencing cravings for the substance?
• Is their health being affected?
• Are their relationships suffering?
• Are they neglecting responsibilities?
• Have they tried to stop but found it difficult to do so?

These questions give us a better understanding of the person's situation.

What Are the Different Types of Substance Abuse?

Many substances can be used in harmful ways. Their effects can differ based on the substance, amount, frequency of use, and the person's physical and psychological health. We’ll discuss here the four most common types-

1. Abusing Alcohol

Alcohol is often a part of enjoyable occasions and events. It is socially acceptable and allowed in many countries; therefore, this may cause people to underestimate its dangers sometimes.

The problem begins when the addiction to alcohol starts endangering one’s health, behavior, judgment, social life, or obligations. A drink able to impair someone’s decision-making or motor activity is guaranteed to jeopardize their family life, career success, educational process, etc. Some people resort to alcohol intake as a solution to their negative experiences since they believe that it enables them to either relax or forget about their problems for a while. The problem appears when a person starts drinking regularly.

2. Abusing Tobacco

Tobacco contains nicotine, which can cause people to become addicted. Tobacco products include cigarettes, bidis, chewing tobacco, gutkha, and more.

Have you paid attention to how much smoking appears in the movies or on TV?

For young people, such images may mean a great deal. A teenager may start to smoke, thinking that this will help him appear more “cool,” more grown-up, or more self-assured. Moreover, peer pressure can also lead them to smoke. What starts as just occasional smoking can turn into a habit. Nicotine can lead to cravings and make quitting smoking hard. Furthermore, tobacco can influence overall health, making it hard to get rid of it. Thus, discussions about tobacco should comprise not only an explanation of why smoking is bad but also an explanation of peer pressure and how to deal with stress.

3. Abusing Stimulants

In simple terms, stimulants are types of substances that stimulate a person by enhancing their level of alertness and activity. Some stimulants are available through prescriptions for treatment of diseases like ADHD and sleep disorders.

Difficulties arise when these medications are used without any medical advice or in higher dosages than advised.

I personally know of a case when a student misused a stimulant for the purpose of staying awake longer and studying. Likewise, somebody else may use it to improve performance or have more energy to do something. Trying to enhance the outcome seems a good enough reason to use the medicine, but that can be dangerous. Depending on the medicine and the prescribed amount, a person may suffer from anxiety, agitation, sleep disorders, mood swings, or other psychological effects. It is essential for the one who uses prescribed medication to stick to the dosage given by his/her doctor.

4. Abusing Opioids

Opioids are pain relievers that may be prescribed by healthcare providers. Some opioids are also manufactured and sold illegally. Opioid medications have an important medical role if used as prescribed. However, taking the medication without the supervision of a healthcare provider, using more than prescribed, or taking someone else’s medication can be harmful. Regular use of opioids may lead to dependence.

If a person taking an opioid begins to experience cravings or feels worried about the possibility of quitting, they should contact a healthcare provider rather than quitting abruptly. All these examples show a wonderful and comprehensive picture of substance abuse. Substance abuse alone does not give a complete understanding.

What Are The Symptoms of Substance?

The symptoms can vary from one person to another. Some signs may be physical, while others may appear through changes in mood, behaviour, relationships, or daily responsibilities.

Some common signs include:

• Strong cravings
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Sudden shifts in mood
• Increased irritability
• Poor or very little concentration
• Changes in appetite or eating habits
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Problems at school or work
• Changes in social groups
• Secretive behaviour
• Financial difficulties
• Persisting in the use of a substance despite its detrimental effects

Just one significant behavior alone cannot be considered sufficient evidence whether or not a person suffers from a substance use disorder. However, when several changes occur simultaneously or persist over time, it can be a good idea to pay more attention.

Why Is It So Hard to Quit?

This must surely be one of the most important questions to ask here. From the outside, people often think that it is easy to quit. However, quitting is usually not that easy.

There are many factors contributing to that, including dependence on a substance, cravings, emotional instability, customs and habits, social circles, and withdrawal syndrome. For some people, it is possible that a substance would help them to deal with stress. So, removing it without providing them with an alternative tool for coping does not make sense and may lead to further stress.

This is one of the reasons why professional mental health assistance is very useful. Treatment does not simply mean quitting; it may mean learning how to recognize triggers while developing coping strategies and overcoming emotional troubles.

What Is the Best Way to Support Someone Who Shows These Signs?

If you are concerned about someone, the way you approach the conversation matters a lot. You can:

• Choose a private and a setting they are comfortable in.
• Talk about specific changes you have noticed in them.
• Should you ever blame or threaten them?
• Let them have some time and space to express themselves.
• Offering advice right away can cause more harm than good.
• Find out how you can help them or just be there to support.
• Always promote seeking professional help.
• You can propose to accompany them during the appointment.

Most importantly, you don’t have to have all the answers.

At times, just saying to someone, “I see you are not yourself lately. Is there something you want to tell me?” can result in a longer conversation. Support starts with asking the correct questions and, thus, helping someone to feel safe to admit that there is a problem.

When Exactly Is Professional Help Needed?

Professional help may be required in cases when the substance starts to interfere with health, relationships, work, education, and everyday matters.

Signs of substance abuse may become more apparent as time goes by. For instance, when a person has cravings or struggles to cut down their consumption. A healthcare or mental health practitioner will be able to evaluate the person's situation and provide proper assistance. Depending on the person's needs, the treatment may include psychotherapy, medical care, behavioural therapy, family support, and other types of approaches. Medical assistance is necessary in some circumstances, whereas in others therapy and family support seem to be reasonable. The relevance of therapy is that it can assist a person to understand their stressors- their emotions, thoughts, interpersonal relations, and behavior patterns. Therapy can provide a person with constructive ways of overcoming stress rather than resorting to a substance. Family support provides other benefits as well. Group therapy is also available. Supporting rather than criticizing a person with a problem will only help him/her in therapy.

It takes time to recover from addiction. If you or somebody in your environment needs help with substance abuse, feel free to contact the specialists from Mpower.