People use alcohol, drugs, and medication for many different reasons.
For some people, use is occasional or recreational. For others, it may become a way of coping with stress, anxiety, trauma, pain, sleep difficulties, loneliness or difficult life circumstances.
Sometimes people become concerned because:
- they are using more frequently;
- they are finding it harder to control their use;
- they are mixing different substances;
- they are using alone;
- their mental or physical health is being affected;
- they have experienced an overdose or other frightening incident;
- they are worried about withdrawal;
- their studies, placement, relationships, finances or housing are being affected;
- somebody else has expressed concern;
- they simply feel that something about their use has changed.
You do not need to wait until you believe you are “addicted” before asking for support.