<p>Substance abuse isn't something you should take lightly. It occurs when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal and illegal substances too much or in the wrong way.</p>

Substance Abuse

<p>Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm.</p>

Substance Abuse Vs Addiction

<ol><li>Alcohol</li><li>Prescription and Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medicine</li><li>Heroin</li><li>Cocaine</li><li>Marijuana</li><li>Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products</li></ol>

Commonly Abuse Drugs

<h1>What Is Substance Abuse?</h1><p>Substance abuse isn't something you should take lightly. It occurs&nbsp;when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal and illegal substances too much or in the wrong way.</p><p>Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm.</p><h2>Commonly Abused Drugs</h2><p>Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work. They can give you a pleasurable “high,” ease your stress, or help you avoid problems in your life.</p><h2>Alcohol</h2><p dir="ltr">Alcohol affects everyone differently. But if you drink too much and too often, your chance of an injury or accident goes up. Heavy drinking also can cause liver and other health problems or lead to a more serious alcohol disorder.<br dir="ltr"> If you’re a man and you drink more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 in a week, you’re drinking too much. For women, heavy drinking means more than three drinks in one day or more than seven drinks a week.</p><p>One drink is:</p><UL><LI>12 ounces of regular beer</LI><LI>8-9 ounces of malt liquor, which has more alcohol than beer</LI><LI>5 ounces of wine</LI><LI>1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka and whiskey</LI></UL><h2>Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine</h2><p>These can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs. You can abuse medicine if you:</p><img src="https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/content-affiliate/Addiction-Instream-768.png" alt="Addiction" width="374" height="150"><div><span><span>Is a loved one struggling with addiction?  We can help!</span></span></div><img src="https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/content-affiliate/i-icon.svg" alt="i-icon" width="15" height="16"><div><span>Chat Now</span></div><img src="https://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/content-affiliate/connect-to-care-logo.svg" alt="WebMD" width="169" height="13"><div dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr"><span onclick="checkterms()" dir="ltr"><span dir="ltr">&nbsp;Advisors</span></span>&nbsp;are waiting for your call: <span onclick="instreamClicktoCall()" dir="ltr">855-466-7204*</span></span><span dir="ltr">*WebMD may receive a fee</span></div>

Substance Abuse is one of the common social issues that require a great level of awareness as many young people find themselves using substances to repress themselves. 

It’s not just about illegal drugs. Using pain meds, alcohol, and other legal substances the wrong way can also harm your health.   

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<p>Substance abuse isn't something you should take lightly. It occurs when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal and illegal substances too much or in the wrong way. </p>

<p>Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm. </p>

<p>Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work. They can give you a pleasurable “high,” ease your stress, or help you avoid problems in your life. </p>

<p>Alcohol affects everyone differently. But if you drink too much and too often, your chance of an injury or accident goes up. Heavy drinking also can cause liver and other health problems or lead to a more serious alcohol disorder.<br>If you’re a man and you drink more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 in a week, you’re drinking too much. For women, heavy drinking means more than three drinks in one day or more than seven drinks a week. </p>

<ul><li>12 ounces of regular beer </li><li>8-9 ounces of malt liquor, which has more alcohol than beer </li><li>5 ounces of wine </li><li>1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka and whiskey </li> </ul>

Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine

<p>These can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs. You can abuse medicine if you: </p>

Substance Abuse: Know the Signs

Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse Vs Addiction

Commonly Abuse Drugs

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