In times of stress or emotional pain, some people turn to alcohol or drugs to cope. However, when used excessively, these substances can have negative effects on your health and life in general. If you’re dealing with the issue yourself, use this guide to learn when substance abuse counseling is necessary.

A Brief Overview of Substance Abuse

What Is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse can be succinctly defined as the excessive use of alcohol or drugs. While “excessive” may vary from person to person, there are general rules for men and women. Men who drink more than four standard drinks a day or 14 a week may be dealing with substance abuse, while women should have no more than three drinks a day or seven a week. 

What Substances Can Be Abused?

In addition to alcohol, substance abuse involves the use of most illegal drugs, such as any amount of heroin or cocaine. Even prescribed drugs may be abused, such as if you take another person’s prescribed medicine, exceed your recommended dosage, or take it too frequently.

While marijuana is facing legalization in many areas of the country, it is still possible to abuse this substance. For example, excessive use can lead to memory issues and raise the risk of schizophrenia. Just like alcohol, it’s not safe to use such substances when driving or operating machinery.

When Does It Become a Problem?

In some cases, people use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate, such as if they’re dealing with a mental illness like depression. Not only could this mask their emotions and prevent them from addressing the deeper problem, but it could also make their mental illness worse in the long run. For example, if an individual begins drinking to cope with the pain of a lost spouse, substance abuse could lead them to lose custody of a child, exacerbating their grief.

Substance abuse can be identified if your use of alcohol or drugs has started to become a detriment to other areas of your life, such as work or parenting. You may lose interest in your hobbies or passions, or begin to feel distant from friends or family. Substance abuse may also present itself as worsening health problems due to excessive use of a substance, such as heart or liver issues.

If you think you’re experiencing substance abuse, consider speaking with the professionals at White Spruce Counseling in Rochester, NY. People turn to them when they crave a new perspective or trustworthy guidance from a mental health professional. To learn more about their programs, including anger management, visit the website or call (585) 424-2436.