Drugs and substance use - an introduction

The term substance use covers a huge range of substances which people may take in order to feel the positive effects of these. Substances can range from illegal drugs such as heroine, to over-the-counter medicine, to everyday household substances, e.g. glue. All these substances provide the person using them with some form of positive outcome.

This positive outcome may be the feeling of being 'high' and care free or maybe a reduction in physical pain or a numbing of emotional pain. Although substances are taken for the positive outcomes they provide, these effects are often short-lived, meaning that to continue feeling the positive effects more of the substance needs to be taken. It is because of this that addiction to substances can occur.

Someone is said to be addicted to, or dependent upon, a substance when they would struggle to go a significant amount of time without taking the substance (e.g. a day) and become preoccupied with thoughts of taking the substance. Withdrawal symptoms may also be seen if the use of the substance is suddenly stopped, e.g. headaches, shaking, and nausea.

Other pages about drugs and substance use

Reasons for drugs and substance use
Effects of drugs and substance use
Dealing with drugs and substance use at home
Further information about drugs and substance use

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