Substance abuse facts for kids

Substance abuse or drug abuse is when someone uses a substance or a drug like alcohol too much, too often, or in a way that isn't safe to change his or her mood or to feel better. This can lead to addiction and serious problems, affecting a person's health, how they get along with others, and how they feel about themselves.

It's not always easy to know why someone starts using substances in a harmful way. Sometimes, it can be due to family history or genes. Other times, it might be a habit learned from others.

Effects of Harmful Substance Use

Substance abuse can lead to many health problems. It can also cause difficulties with friends and family. People might get hurt, or their health might suffer. Sometimes, it can even lead to losing one's life.

Substance abuse can also make people feel very sad or confused. This can happen while they are using the substance or when they try to stop. Sometimes, these feelings can last a long time, even after someone stops using the substance.

Getting Help and Support

Finding out if someone has a substance use problem and understanding it is important for getting the right help. There are many ways to help people who are struggling with substance use.

Many types of counseling and therapy can help. These include:

• Behavioral therapy: This helps people learn new ways to act and think.
• Motivational interviewing: This helps people find their own reasons to change.
• Community support: This involves getting help from friends, family, and the community.
• Learning new skills: This helps people deal with cravings and stress. It also helps them avoid going back to old habits.

For children and teenagers, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and family therapy are very helpful. These therapies teach social skills and how to manage feelings. They can be done in groups, which helps young people learn from each other. Studies show that combining different types of treatment can also be very effective.

Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are places where people support each other to stay away from substances. Learning social skills is also important, as substance use can affect how people interact with others. Training in social skills can help people manage their social lives better.

See also

In Spanish: Abuso de sustancias para niños