“Substance abuse is typically defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. Substances can include alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, inhalants and solvents, nicotine, and even coffee.”

Have you ever noticed how every single morning, without fail, you feel the strong need to have that comforting cup of coffee to properly kickstart your day? Or, for those who smoke, the undeniable urge to enjoy a cigarette after finishing a meal—it seems to complete the entire dining experience, doesn’t it? WELL, well, well, that’s your form of addiction. While coffee may seem harmless and innocuous, the substance itself is secondary; it’s actually the BEHAVIOR surrounding it that is primary, and THIS is one of the key components that defines addiction. Your brain is effectively sending you signals that you absolutely require this substance in order to focus, relax, or simply to ensure that you have a normal day. When it comes to breaking these ingrained daily patterns, you will inevitably experience some significant drawbacks as your mind struggles with the absence of those comforting routines you’ve grown accustomed to. This is merely the tip of the iceberg, providing you with a glimpse into how easily addiction can take root. Now, let’s delve deeper into the substance itself and its prevalent use.

Now, let’s paint a picture: imagine that the people in your household, as well as your colleagues at work, neither drink coffee nor smoke. Just think about the degrading looks they might give you every time you indulge in your nice hot cup of joe or light up that Newport, relishing that satisfying drag or sip. You can almost feel their looks of disgust weighing heavily on you. It would undoubtedly create an uncomfortable atmosphere for you in their presence; after all, YOU’RE NOT LIKE THEM. This very disconnect is what would set you apart, making you feel like an outcast among your colleagues and family. Consequently, you might find yourself gravitating toward the company of those who share your habits and preferences, as it provides a sense of belonging amidst the discomfort.

Let’s dive deeper into this crisis to get a better understanding, so like me, you’ll have a better perspective on the subject of substance abuse and addiction as I have developed.

Brian K. Wyatt, Sr.
Contributing Editor

What Is Substance Misuse?

Health officials consider substance use as crossing the line into substance misuse if that repeated use causes significant impairment, such as:

Disabilities
Failure to meet responsibilities
Health issues
Impaired control
Risky use
Social Issues

In other words, if someone drinks enough to get frequent hangovers; uses enough drugs that they miss work or school; smokes enough marijuana that they have lost friends; or often drinks or uses more than they intended to use, their substance use is probably considered misuse or harmful use.

Illegal Substance Use

Generally, when people talk about 'substance abuse,' they are referring to the use of illegal drugs. Drugs of misuse do more than alter mood. They can cloud judgment, distort perceptions, and alter reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents and injury. These drugs were declared illegal in the first place because they are potentially addictive or can cause severe negative health effects. Some believe that any use of illegal substances is dangerous and, therefore, abusive.

In the United States, the most commonly used illegal drugs are Marijuana, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Hallucinogens, Ecstasy or Molly, Heroin