What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse involves the overuse (often to dangerous levels) of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs.

Substance abuse can severely affect your physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Teenagers are the age group most likely to engage in substance abuse.

Read about drug abuse.

What substances are commonly abused?

The most commonly abused substances in Australia are tobacco and alcohol. Smoking is the main cause of preventable death and disease in Australia. About 1 in 3 Australians aged 14 years and over drink alcohol at risky levels.

Excessive alcohol use can lead to:

• short-term risk of accidents and injuries
• violent behaviour
• long-term medical complications such as liver disease and mental illnesses

Drug abuse includes:

• illegal drugs (such as cannabis and amphetamines)
• prescription medicines
• over-the-counter medicines, such as pain relief medicines or sedatives, when used for non-medical reasons

The drug most often used illegally in Australia is cannabis. Cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine are other drugs commonly used illegally.

What are the signs of substance abuse?

Signs that your substance use is becoming a problem include when you:

• lose control of when and how much alcohol or drugs you use
• continue to use a substance that harms you or causes medical problems or injuries
• continue to use substances that affect your relationships or cause problems at work or school

People who abuse substances may become addicted to or dependent on those substances.

Addiction is a mental and physical dependence, where you are unable to control or stop using the substance, even when it's causing you harm. You may develop tolerance and have cravings or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance.

Tolerance is when the substance does not have much effect on you and you need more of the substance to get the effect you want.

Withdrawal symptoms are physical symptoms you experience when not using the substance. These symptoms are relieved by taking more of it.

What to look for if you suspect substance abuse

Below are some signs that you or someone you know might be abusing a substance:

• You regularly use more of a substance than you intended.
• You try to cut down or stop using, but don't succeed.
• You spend a lot of time getting, using or recovering from the substance.
• You experience cravings, or a strong desire to use the substance.
• You use substances again and again, even when you are aware of the potential damage or danger.

You should also look out for signs of the impact of substances on your life. Here are some examples:

• You often fail to meet responsibilities at work, home or school because of substance use.
• You continue using a substance even when it has caused relationship problems.
• You give up social, work or leisure activities because of substance use.
• You engage in dangerous or risky behaviour, such as criminal behaviour, drink driving or having unprotected sex.
• You continue to use the substance, even when you know you have a physical or psychological problem that could be caused or made worse by the substance.

Read about drug overdose.

Read about quitting smoking and vaping.

Read about how to help someone who is misusing drugs or alcohol.

How does substance abuse affect mental health?

If you are living with a substance use disorder, you are at greater risk of mental health complications.

You are also at a higher risk of developing suicidal behaviour.

Living with a mental illness can make you more likely to abuse drugs to lessen your symptoms and make you feel better in the short-term.

How is substance abuse treated?

Many treatment options are available for addiction and substance abuse. These range from counselling through to hospital treatment.

Your treatment depends on which substance is involved and how dependent you are on it. It may also depend on your level of risk and how much support you have at home.

Treatment options include:

• lifestyle changes
• individual or group counselling
• peer support
• rehabilitation (rehab) programs
• residential or hospital treatment
• social support

Detoxification (detox) means stopping or reducing your intake of the substance. You may need medical treatment as well as counselling, support and rehab, to help you during or after detox. Sometimes medicines are given to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

For people who have a substance use disorder and a mental illness, treatment should address both conditions at the same time.

Read about overcoming addiction.

Resources and support

• For advice and to get connected to local mental health services, call Medicare Mental Health on 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
• Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) 1300 222 222 and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 1300 652 820 are available in many locations throughout Australian cities and regional areas. They provide support for people with alcohol and drug problems who want to stop drinking or using drugs.
• Information for young people and their parents is available at reachout.com and headspace.
• Free online counselling for people who are concerned about their drug or alcohol use is available at Counselling Online.

Other languages

Alcohol and Drug Federation has translated resources about drug and alcohol use into many community languages.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Got a lot going on? Headspace offers support for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people struggling with alcohol, drugs or their mental health.