Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever
experiencing negative consequences or addiction. For many others, substance
use can cause problems at work, home, school, and in relationships, leaving you
feeling isolated, helpless, or ashamed.
If you’re worried about your own or a friend or family member’s drug use,
it’s
important to know that help is available. Learning about the nature of drug
abuse and addiction—how it develops, what it looks like, and why it can have
such a powerful hold—gives a better understanding of the problem and how to
best deal with it.
Drug abuse and addiction is less about the amount of substance consumed or
the
frequency, and more to do with the consequences of drug use. No matter how
often or how little you’re consuming, if your drug use is causing problems in your
life—at work, school, home, or in your relationships—you likely have a drug
abuse or addiction problem.
