Substance Abuse or
Dependence
Substance abuse is a pattern of using alcohol or drugs that leads to
problems in a person’s life. These problems can:
•
Put others at risk, such as driving, working with tools, watching
children
•
Cause problems with family or friends
•
Cause trouble with the law or at work or school
Substance dependence is the need for alcohol or drugs. A person
continues to drink or use drugs in spite of problems in his or her life. The
person often needs more alcohol or drugs to get the same effect. As
dependence grows, the person slips further away from family and
friends. Performance at work or school drops and health problems occur.
This person may not be able to see how alcohol or drug use is affecting
his or her life. There may be signs of physical or emotional distress
when the person cuts back or stops use. This is called withdrawal.
Substances Most Often Abused
Alcohol is the most often abused drug. Substance abuse can be the use of
legal or illegal substances. Substances most often abused include:
•
Alcohol such as beer, wine and liquor
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Nicotine in cigarettes and chewing tobacco
•
Marijuana or hashish and cocaine or crack
•
Hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline and PCP
•
Sedatives such as Seconal, Fiorinal and Tuinal
•
Opiates such as codeine, OxyContin, Vicodin or heroin
•
Amphetamines such as dexadrine and Benzedrine
•
Tranquilizers such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan