Issues: Drugs

What is substance abuse?

Most people understand it as an activity which results in harm from the use of drugs. (Substances include illegal drugs such as Cannabis, Heroin and Cocaine as well as legally available drugs such as alcohol and nicotine. Solvents are included in what is termed 'volatile substance abuse (VSA)'.)

'Misuse' implies that (safe) 'use' might be possible. In reality, all 'use' is an exercise in risk taking with many different factors determining the degree of risk. For example, to drink a glass of wine and drive is a greater risk than staying at home after drinking.

Substance 'use' in this context refers to recreational consumption (i.e. non-medical). It ranges from experimentation to regular use and may progress to dependency and even death. Most people do not become dependent, although many do suffer harm related to their own substance use or that of others.