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Alcohol
and Other Drugs
This page was reviewed or revised on Monday, August 31, 2009.
What is a drug?
"A drug is a substance, other than food, that changes
the way the body or mind functions."
What
is substance abuse?
Substance abuse means taking
alcohol or other drugs in a way that puts you or others at risk. It is
harmful and very dangerous.
The use of alcohol and other drugs is not just
an adult problem or a phase youth go through. It affects males and
females; teens, adults and seniors; all professions from homemakers to
lawyers; and at school or at work.
People start taking drugs for
many reasons:
-
Relax
-
Curiosity
-
Pleasure
-
Peer pressure
- To
fit in
- To
be different
-
Cope with boredom
-
Cope with problems
-
Cope with stress
-
Anxiety
-
Lack of confidence
-
Other social problems
Anyone can slip into problem
with alcohol and other drugs; the good news is, it can be
treated.
Alcohol, tobacco or illegal
drugs affect everyone - families, friends, neighbours and even people
you’ve never met. Drug use, especially alcohol, is the major cause of
social, economic and health concerns. Drug use can:
When most people talk about drug problems, they
think about illegal drugs like
marijuana,
hashish,
LSD and
"Club Drugs" like
ecstasy and
GHB. Today, the substances used in our community are not just
alcohol or marijuana; fixing the problem isn’t simple.
Some substances being abused for their
mood-altering effects are not drugs at all, like
inhalants – glue, gasoline, spray paint. Some drugs have no
mood-altering or intoxicating properties, like
steroids.
Alcohol,
caffeine and
tobacco are legal, but they are drugs. Even prescription and
over-the-counter medications, to help us get over things like a
cold, can be misused. Anything can be abused.
Despite what some say about
the “recreational use” of drugs, such as marijuana, studies show
marijuana is more harmful than first thought.
The line between use and
abuse is not always clear. For instance, if you have two (2) drinks
every day after work to relax, is that use or abuse? Or is drinking two
(2) pots of coffee in the morning to kick-start your day use or abuse?
Only that person can tell where use ends and abuse begins.
Not everyone who uses drugs
becomes addicted, but substance use problems can create problems whether
they are addicted or not. There are many levels of substance use. All
can be dangerous; all can be treated.
Worth the Visit:
Drinking Facts
Substance Use and Addictions
CAMH
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
Know Zone
Go Ask Alice
Alcohol Policy Network
Ontario Drug Awareness Partnership
Parent Action on Drugs
4youth
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