Substance Misuse
Substance misuse happens when people use a harmful substance, like “alcohol” or “drugs”, to try to feel better. Many people do this when they feel sad, stressed, or hurt inside. But using substances does not fix the problem. It can make life harder and make feelings even stronger. Research shows that people often use substances to cope with stress or big emotions (Sinha, 2024).
Signs of Substance Misuse
Substance misuse can slowly change how a person feels and acts. It may start as a way to handle stress or big emotions, but over time it can make daily life harder and less stable. These changes can show that someone is struggling and may need support:
- Using more than planned and feeling like they can’t stop once they start. Feeling sick, shaky, or upset when they are not using the substance.
- Pulling away from friends or family and losing interest in things they used to enjoy.
- Trouble at school or work, like missing days or having a hard time focusing.
- Taking unsafe risks, such as using in dangerous places or doing risky things to get the substance.
Healthier ways to cope
- There are safer ways to calm big feelings:
- Take a short walk or move your body.
- Splash cold water on your face or hold an ice cube.
- Take slow, deep breaths.
- Talk to someone you trust.
Write down your thoughts or name things you can see, hear, and feel. These healthy choices help your brain and body feel calmer without causing harm.
Why this matters
Studies show that stress and hard emotions can make people want to use substances to feel better for a little while (Sinha, 2024). When someone feels scared, sad, or overwhelmed, their brain may look for a quick way to calm down. This is why some people turn to alcohol or drugs. But the relief does not last, and it can make problems grow. Learning healthy coping skills, like deep breathing, talking to someone you trust, or taking a short walk, can help your body and mind feel safer and more in control. These skills make it easier to handle big feelings without turning to substances. Understanding this can help you or someone you know make safer, healthier choices.
References:
Feingold, D., & Tzur Bitan, D. (2022). Addiction psychotherapy: Going beyond self‑medication. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 820660. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.820660
Sinha, R. (2024). Stress and substance use disorders: Risk, relapse, and treatment outcomes. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 134(16), e172883. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI172883
Dixon, K. E., Owens, A., Lac, A., Samuelson, K. W., & Mahoney, C. T. (2024). Do coping self‑efficacy, coping flexibility, and substance‑use coping mediate the connection from PTSD symptoms to problematic alcohol use behaviors? Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 46, 386–398. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10862-024-10128-1