Substance misuse is a severe public health concern that affects individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Because of this, it is crucial to remain educated about substance misuse, including recognizing early warning signs and understanding the risks associated with commonly abused substances. For National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, let’s educate ourselves and others about how we can be proactive in preventing substance misuse and promoting healthier choices.

Know the Warning Signs of Substance Misuse

For something as dangerous as substance misuse, it is vital to recognize signs early to prevent long-term addiction. Behavioral changes are often the first indicators of such a problem developing. For example, individuals who are misusing substances may become more secretive, withdraw from family and social activities, or exhibit sudden and unexplained mood swings. They may also engage in risky behaviors, such as reckless driving or unsafe sexual practices, as their decision-making becomes impaired. Teenagers can begin to have trouble at school, such as skipping school or suddenly failing schoolwork. Whereas, adults may exhibit similar symptoms at work, like shirking work responsibilities, missing deadlines, or no longer coming into the office. If progressed to the point of addiction, resulting financial difficulties can often be an indicator, as individuals might resort to borrowing money, stealing, or selling personal belongings to fund their substance use. Sudden onset of drastic life changes are particularly important to examine, along with a sudden significant decrease in financial status.

Physical symptoms can also signal substance misuse. For instance, bloodshot eyes, unexplained weight fluctuations, frequent nosebleeds (often associated with snorting substances), and poor personal hygiene may indicate an underlying substance misuse issue. Individuals struggling with this may also neglect their appearance, appearing less groomed than usual. Additionally, changes in cognition and emotional well-being—such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, increased anxiety, depression, or paranoia—can be linked to substance use disorders.

Moreover, there is a genetic component to addiction, which can be why substance use disorders tend to run in families. Additionally, individuals are more likely to develop a substance use disorder if they grew up in a household where one or more parents also struggled with the condition. Having a history of neglect, maltreatment, or abuse–especially in childhood–significantly increases the likelihood of developing substance misuse. There are also social and systemic vulnerability risks associated with substance misuse. For example, people from marginalized backgrounds who experience minority stress are at heightened risk of misusing substances in order to cope with systemic oppression. As misusing substances can be a way to numb painful experiences, those who experience socially toxic environments, discrimination, or racism are at a heightened risk of substance misuse.

Recognizing these warning signs early and seeking professional intervention is crucial to prevent harm and improve the recovery process.

Knowing the Commonly Abused Substances

Alcohol

One of the most widely abused substances is alcohol. Moderate consumption may be socially accepted, but excessive alcohol intake can lead to severe health problems like liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and increased risk of accidents (particularly car accidents) due to having impaired judgment. It can be helpful to be aware of what the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines as one standard drink:

12 ounces (355 milliliters) of regular beer (about 5% alcohol)
8 to 9 ounces (237 to 266 milliliters) of malt liquor (about 7% alcohol)
5 ounces (148 milliliters) of wine (about 12% alcohol)
1.5 ounces (44 milliliters) of hard liquor or distilled spirits (about 40% alcohol)

Marijuana

Marijuana has been legalized in many states and can be as socially normalized as alcohol. Like alcohol, marijuana may not be detrimental to your health when used in moderation. However, with these constantly-marketed, high-potency THC products, marijuana has become another commonly abused substance. Chronic over-use of marijuana can lead to a decrease in attention and learning capabilities, memory loss, behavioral dependency, and a more sedentary lifestyle. There have also been cases of marijuana-related mental health concerns such as increased anxiety and–while rarer–cannabis-induced psychosis.

Opioids

Opioids can include prescription painkillers like oxycodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin and fentanyl. Opioids are often used in the medical industry due to their effectiveness in reducing pain. However, what makes opioids so dangerous is that they are often fatal when taken at higher doses. Not only that, but these substances are highly addictive and can lead to other issues such as difficulty breathing, confusion, nausea, and constipation. The synthetic opioid fentanyl is especially dangerous and is often mixed in with other “street drugs” clandestinely – significantly increasing the risk of an overdose. To illustrate the danger, fentanyl is about 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

Stimulants

Stimulants include drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, as well as prescription ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin. Stimulants increase focus and energy, which may tempt people to abuse them. For example, caffeine is also a stimulant that has been normalized within society as a way to increase energy levels each morning. However, harder stimulants like cocaine and meth can result in detrimental symptoms when abused, such as rapid heart rate, heightened anxiety, paranoia, and severe cardiovascular issues. Long-term addiction can also result in malnutrition, psychological deterioration, and severe social and financial problems.

Benzodiazepines

Opposite of stimulants are benzodiazepines, which produce a sedative, calming effect on an individual. Benzodiazepines include Xanax and Valium, and are another class of drugs that can be frequently misused. These drugs are typically prescribed for anxiety and sleep disorders, but are extremely addictive. Over time, these drugs can lead to physical dependence, severe withdrawal symptoms, and even increased risk of overdose. Additionally, chronic abuse can result in insomnia, extreme anxiety, memory problems, and anorexia. Additional danger is presented when people combine benzodiazepines with alcohol, resulting in heightened risk of death.

Unregulated Substances

Many people mistakenly believe that natural or over-the-counter substances are inherently safe. However, just because you can buy it in a store doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many of these substances are not FDA-approved, and it’s unclear what’s in them. For example, CBD (cannabidiol) is often marketed for anxiety, pain, and insomnia management. However, the only CBD product approved by the FDA is Epidiolex. However, for other CBD products, it may be unclear what the purity of the product is, how much of it is truly CBD, and what the dosage is.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb used for stress relief. However, this substance is also unregulated. While it is generally considered safe for short-term use, it can interact with certain medications, exacerbate liver conditions, and cause thyroid imbalances. Other unregulated substances include Delta-9 THC and Kratom. Delta-9 THC is marketed as a legal alternative to marijuana that offers similar effects. However, these products are not subject to the same safety standards as regulated cannabis, and therefore their effects can be unpredictable. Additionally, it can be unclear what is in a specific Delta-9 product, as the ingredients may all be vastly different. The same can be said for Kratom, a plant-based substance used for pain relief and generating symptoms similar to using opioids. However, Kratom is unregulated and there have been cases of these products being contaminated with harmful substances. Since these substances lack strict quality control, their effects can be unpredictable and potentially harmful. Additionally, both Delta-9 THC and Kratom have been known to be addictive.

Help Resources for Substance Abuse

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance misuse, there are resources available to provide crucial support and guidance:

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP [4357]) is a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline providing treatment referrals and information
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers research-based information on substance use disorders and treatment options
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) & Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer peer support groups for those seeking recovery
In The Rooms also offers free, weekly online peer support groups for those recovering from addiction
Partnership to End Addiction provides free, personalized support for families dealing with addiction
Many cities and states have rehabilitation centers and counseling services. You may use SAMHSA’s treatment locator to find resources near you.

This National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, let’s take the opportunity to spread knowledge and encourage open conversations about substance use – you may save a life.

Sources:

Understanding the Signs of Substance Misuse and Commonly Abused Substances

Know the Warning Signs of Substance Misuse

Knowing the Commonly Abused Substances

Help Resources for Substance Abuse