Substance Abuse: repeated use of mind/mood altering substances that results in mild to moderate life consequences for that person and/or those around him/her.
Mind /mood altering substances may include: alcohol, some prescription medications, marijuana, meth, oxycontin, ecstasy, crack cocaine, cocaine other than the crack form, LSD, heroin, sleeping pills, inhalants (whippets/poppers) and steroids.
Consequences may involve:
DUI
Legal issues
Marital, relationship and/or family problems
Job problems (e.g. repeated absences, calling in ill, poor work performance or being late to work)
School problems (Rapid change in grades, suspensions, expulsions)
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services and SAMHSA - one-stop resource for the most current and comprehensive information about substance abuse prevention and treatment.
