Signs that Substance Use is Becoming Substance Abuse


By Michelle Lara-Canlas, LPCC

Just because you use substances, does not necessarily mean you will become dependent, but there are high risks and serious consequences due to the addictive nature of substances. Here are some questions to ask yourself or someone you know if the substance use is becoming problematic: 
  • Is it affecting your daily routines?
  • Is it starting to affect your academics or work?
  • Is it starting to affect your relationships?
  • Is it impacting your physical and mental health?
  • Are you using it more often or for longer than you intended?
  • Do you find yourself needing it or looking forward to it most of the time?
  • Have your other priorities fallen behind and your substance use has become the most important thing?
  • Are you making financial changes to make sure you can afford it? Even when you can’t afford it?
  • You want to stop using it, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to stop?

Tips to help Monitor Substance Use

  • Remember to monitor your use and be honest about your personal limits
  • Know what usually triggers you to use substances in excess: certain people or environments, your emotional state, stress or feeling overwhelmed, etc.
  • Setting realistic limits for yourself
  • Plan accordingly for social situations where you may be pressured, like arriving late or leaving early to a party, taking a friend or loved one who will be able to hold you accountable to your limits, etc.
  • Learn from each situation and use that to help you the next time
  • Consider getting mental health counseling or joining a support group
  • Share about your struggles with trusted loved ones to get the support you need
If you or someone you know is at risk of their substance use turning into abuse, then it would be important to have an honest conversation and plan for next steps. There is often a lot of shame and guilt around substance use, but with a little courage, it can get better by asking for help and taking the next steps. 

Below are some helpful resources:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Understanding Interpersonal Violence: A Call to Action for National Coming Out Day and LGBTQPIA2S+ History Month

Image
By Van Ethan Levy, LMFT 118131, LPCC 8269  Van is a queer, non-binary, trans, AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth), POC (Person of Color), dually licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. Van is passionate about holding space for all intersections of one’s identity(ies). Van is dedicated to social justice & believes it is vital to cultivate an awareness of our own internal strengths, specifically our resilience as we continue to grow and discover ourselves. Van also provides trainings on trans and non-binary identities and is author of the interactive book Exploring My Identity(ies) (2020). As we approach National Coming Out Day on October 11th and celebrate LGBTQPIA2S+ History Month, it’s crucial to shed light on a pervasive issue that often goes unnoticed: Interpersonal Violence (IPV). Many individuals may not recognize the signs of healthy versus unhealthy dynamics in relationships. IPV can take many forms, including physic...
Read more

Here’s why you shouldn’t test for COVID

Image
  By Kim Marquardt, RN MSN This blog post is from the Nurse Kim archives of myth busting. I want to share some "alternative" or maybe just lesser known health and wellness viewpoints for you to chew on. *These posts are not intended as official medical advice. They ARE meant to be fun, informative, and thought provoking, hopefully sparking an interest for you to do your own research (you can start with the links I provide!) and discover the marvels of the human body, and how it can function at its optimal performance level if we understand how it works and interacts with our environment and our diet. I have a passion for health and wellness through lifestyle and nutrition and have done thousands of hours of research in addition to being a registered nurse for 23 years. I have done A LOT of self-experimentation in and around diet, lifestyle, body care, and supplementation and have spent a lot of time looking into the science behind it all (or lack thereof!). Check back weekly ...
Read more

TWO QUESTIONS: Adela Sanchez on Narcan Trainings

Image
TWO QUESTIONS FOR Adela Sanchez on Narcan Training  1.       What led you to bring Narcan training to MiraCosta? Narcan (naloxone) training in community colleges, especially when provided by a nurse, offers numerous benefits. As someone who grew up in this community being able to offer training for students, faculty, and staff is especially important to me. There are so many obstacles in healthcare so when there are opportunities for free programs and resources, I am immediately drawn to them. Empowering community members, especially in a college setting, fosters a sense of responsibility and community care. Trained individuals can act confidently in emergencies, contributing to a safer environment for everyone! I’ve seen too many accidents turn fatal so anything we can do to help is worth it. ·          Narcan equips us with the ability to respond swiftly to opioid overdoses. This can save lives in situation...
Read more