Substance abuse is the use of alcohol, legal drugs, or illegal drugs, to destructive ends. Substance abuse does not necessarily mean the user has a substance addiction though some stance abuse can lead to or stem from addiction.

Addiction is a disease wherein the individual suffering from it is unable to stop their substance use even if it is causing them harm. Individuals abusing substances may be capable of changing or stopping their unhealthy behavior. Individuals dealing with substance abuse often rely on substance use to escape negative feelings or they develop a reliance on substances for positive feelings.

Individuals abusing substances often do so at the expense of their health or to the detriment of personal or professional relationships. Other symptoms include the loss of interest in things they used to enjoy, the individual stops taking care of themself, they eat more or less than usual, unusual sleep hours, rapid mood swings, and a strong desire for the substance.

The 4 types of substance abuse are alcohol abuse, nicotine abuse, illegal drug abuse, and legal drug abuse. Alcohol abuse can become harmful to mental and physical health and become detrimental to the substance abuser’s social and professional relationships.

Binge drinking, which consists of men consuming in excess of 4 drinks in a single sitting or women consuming in excess of four drinks, is a common example of alcohol abuse. In addition to consuming alcohol in excess in a single sitting an overreliance on regular consumption can also create issues. Nicotine use has declined in recent years, but it remains the world’s most abused substance.

Despite widespread knowledge of smoking’s harmful effects many continue to abuse it. Illegal and legal drugs can both also be abused whether in excess in a single sitting or an overreliance over the long term. Illegal drug use is always considered misuse. Substance abuse has far-reaching issues not only for the individual abusing substance but for loved ones as well.

The exact cause of substance abuse is unknown although genetics contribute a much higher risk factor. There are many different causes of substance abuse including previous trauma, mental health issues, relationship issues, chronic pain, sleep problems, cultural and social factors, and more.

Some individuals begin using a substance fairly innocently without the intent to abuse it but repeated use and overexposure to the substance cause a use disorder or addiction. Many times, substance abuse results from stressors in an individual’s life and an attempt to use substances as an escape.

Not all substance abuse is drug abuse, while all drug abuse is substance abuse. The truth is there are other substances individuals are capable of abusing that they do abuse. Drug abuse is only one of many abusable substances. When it comes to drug abuse there are various legal and illegal substances individuals’ abuse.

Individuals who abuse drugs often experience the need for increasingly large quantities of drugs to achieve the same effects they previously experienced, they suffer from withdrawal symptoms if they stop or decrease drug use, and they remove themselves from recreational and social activities, obtaining, using, and recovering from drugs occupies much of their time, and they continue to use drugs although they are aware of their detrimental effects.

Amcu TelePsych, Virtual Psychiatric Services, offers counseling services for individuals struggling with substance abuse. Substance abuse damages mental and physical health and has detrimental effects on loved ones, treatment is available. Patients can call or book an appointment online with Amcu TelePsych today.

Contact us today and let us help you start living life again substance free. We serve patients from Bakersfield CA, Maricopa CA, Shafter CA, Palmdale CA, Los Angeles CA, Santa Clarita CA, Lancaster CA, Visalia CA and are licensed in California, Texas, Arizona, Santa Barbara CA, and New York.