Substance abuse is rampant nowadays across the world. When people hear substance abuse, they generally assume that it would be drugs or alcohol, and, it was previously used to call the phenomena in which the person is using illicit drugs, or, there is an abuse of prescribed drugs other than for purposes which have been indicated – manner, quantity, and dosage. This definition, however, no longer perfectly applies to our society as there are other several substances, other than illegal drugs and prescribed medicines, which can be abused. Some of the common substances abused are tobacco, cigarettes, alcohol, anabolic steroids, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, and so much more. Some of these substances have been considered harmless, however, although these drugs cannot inhibit bodily functions, addiction to such substances causes a person to lose morality and end up stealing, raping, and even killing people.

Reasons and Theories Explaining Substance Abuse

There are several theories and reasons as to why people, especially teenagers, resort to using and abusing such substances. One of the reasons is for the user to keep calm amidst the fears, anxiety, and depression – which are common to children who have experienced traumatic fears such as family separation. Some of these not only keeps people from feelings of fear, sadness, and anxiousness, substances, such as ecstasy and heroine, even bring them to the blissful world of Nirvana. Curiosity is also another common reason why teenagers start using these substances. However, the theories of peer pressure and conformity explain curiosity.

Conformity is the phenomenon in which a person follows what other, usually his or her peers, on how to act, behave, think, and feel, and, what to believe. This also refers to following standards which are considered acceptable. By this theory, most of the people disregard his or her own opinion in favor of what the majority has to say. Therefore, they are often swayed and pushed to do things, even if it against their will. Peer pressure also contributes to curiosity. When a person sees his or her friends, or schoolmates, doing some things out of the ordinary, and, there are lots of them doing it, then he or she would be curious as to why those people are engaging in such activities.

Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse can be carried out discreetly. However, as people say, no secret can be hidden forever. There are always telltale signs of what a person has been doing. Some of the symptoms that family and friends may notice may be small at first, but, as time goes on, it will escalate. Addiction, or substance abuse, is a very expensive hobby. Because the body will be yearning for such substance, it would be nearly impossible to hold back. Therefore, one of the most common and prominent signs of substance abuse is the disappearance of money and some valuables, and, at some point, appliances will be the ones missing. Physical manifestation, without clear cause, is another symptom – reddening eyes, slurring of speech, and, lethargy or sleeplessness. There will also be changes in behavior – they become easily irritated and are too aggressive.

People who are addicted to “inhalant” substances, such as cigarettes and tobacco, often times use deodorizers and incenses, when they normally do not use one. A frequent hangover is another symptom, and sometimes, people who are abusing substances blacks out or become forgetful. Substance abusers tend to give up past hobbies and activities, in which they have previously found pleasure, in favor of activities which are not elaborated. Students tend to miss classes just to hang out with friends while doing their “thing”. Of course, this leads to failing in subjects and suspension. Adults miss their work or do a lousy job. People become reckless in every aspect in life. However, the most important warning sign that tells if a person has a high tendency to abuse substance is depression, anxiety, fear, and loneliness.

Seek Help

1-800-448-3000 is the hotline for the Boys Town National HotlineSM. This hotline is open 24 hours every day for 365 days a year. Their website, www.boystown.org/national-hotline, has many resources, videos, and an online chat, to guide parents and children. This hotline has specially trained counselors accredited by the American Association of Suicidiology or AAS. They deal with suicide prevention, parental troubles, sexual abuse, intense anger, school issues, physical abuse, chemical dependency, substance abuse, problems in various relationships, emotional abuse, runaways, and more. They also have Spanish speaking counselors and translators good for more than 140 languages, which is accessible at 1-800-448-1833. The Boys Town National Headquarters is situated at 14100 Crawford Street, Boys Town, NE 68010. They can be reached at (402) 498-1300 (phone) and at (402) 498-1348 (fax).

Hazelden is a private non-for-profit treatment center for alcohol and drug addiction. They have a 24 hour hotline, (800) 257-7810 and (651) 213-4200, which are available any time of the week. Letters can be dropped at P.O. Box 11, 15251 Pleasant Valley Rd., Center City, MN 55012-0011, or, can be emailed at [email protected]. This treatment center offers Sober Housing for college students in New York City. More information can be accessed at www.hazelden.org. Phoenix House is another nonprofit provider of services for substance abuse. They have more than 120 programs in Florida, California, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, Vermont, Texas, and, Rhode Island. They can be contacted at 1 (800) 378-4435, and, at their website of www.phoenixhouse.org.

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics, or NACoA, believes that it is not the adult addicts who suffer from the substance abuse. It is the children of those substance abusers. This association advocates that children should not live with parents who abuses substances, as they become unsupported and isolated in the family. They can be contacted at their phone numbers: (888) 554-2627 or at (301) 468-0985. Their fax number is (301) 468-0987, and, their email address is [email protected]. Visit their website at www.nacoa.org for more information.