The effects substances have on the body depends on the substance. It can also depend on how much a person uses and how they use it, and whether they are using more than one substance at a time. Here are three main types of substances. Notice how each type causes a different effect:

Stimulants: These types of substances may temporarily increase a person’s alertness, attention and/or energy. Examples: caffeine, cocaine, methamphetamines, etc.

Hallucinogens: These are substances that can temporarily change the way people see, hear, taste, smell or feel, and effect mood or thought. At high doses, all can cause a person to hallucinate ( see, hear, taste, smell or feel things that aren’t really there). Examples: LSD, ecstasy, salvia, etc.

Depressants: These types of substances slow down a person's nervous system and can temporarily make people feel relaxed, less tense, and less aware of what is going on around them. Examples: alcohol, heroin, cannabis, prescription painkillers (oxycodone, fentanyl), etc.

Substances can have long and short-term effects on a person’s mental and physical health. They can be temporary or permanent. The physical effects depend on what kind of substances are being taken. Some physical effects can be:

• Brain and nerve damage
• Drop or rise in blood pressure
• Changes in heart rate
• Organ damage
• Increased risk of disease
• Hormonal changes
• Changes in brain chemistry
• Changes in appetite
• Impairs ability to think clearly
• Damage to immune system
• When someone is pregnant, permanent brain and other developmental damage can be done to the fetus

Substance use can also affect other parts of a person’s life beyond just their physical health, especially if it becomes problematic. If someone's substance use becomes a problem, it can get in the way of relationships, meeting goals, hobbies, school, work, emotional health, etc. (see the image above in the gallery).

Myth: Using drugs regularly or in excess means you are an “addict”.

Fact: Substance use is a lot more complicated than that. The world is not divided into “those who don’t use” and “addicts”. Drug issues are not measured by what the drug is, how much or how often it’s being used. It’s more helpful to think of substance in terms of how it's affecting your health and life. If using substances is hurting your body or getting in the way of things you enjoy or are necessary in your life, then it’s problematic. If you’re finding it hard to stop, even when you know it’s affecting your life, it could be considered “dependant use” or addiction.

Myth: I have a pretty good idea of how a substance is going to affect me, because I have seen my friends do it all the time.

Fact: Basing your substance use choices on your friends and their experiences is pretty risky. Substances differ so widely, even from dose to dose. Bodies and brains differ from person to person. You could have 5 people all drink the same amount of alcohol, for instance, and they may all react and behave differently because of their size, tolerance, how much they ate that day, their life experiences, their mood or underlying mental physical health issues, etc. Even if you’ve used something regularly before, it doesn’t mean it’s going to affect you or your friends the same way every time. When you mix substances, that can change everything and results are even more unpredictable.

Myth: Marijuana is totally fine, and you can’t get “addicted” to it. It even helps with anxiety.

Fact: Marijuana has proved to be helpful for some when used to treat certain health issues (it is safest to do so with medical marijuana that has been approved for you by a doctor), and some people can use it with no issues or signs of dependence. However, it differs from person to person. For example, for some people, it relaxes them, while for others, it can increase anxiety substantially. Many young people who seek help for substance use issues point to marijuana as being the main reason that brought them there. There is a strong and growing body of evidence that regular use of marijuana with teenagers can seriously harm the developing brain. Early regular use is associated with low academic achievement, not feeling good about life or feeling dissatisfied, higher likelihood of developing marijuana use disorder, and increased risk of developing mental health problems. Several studies have suggested that cannabis use before the age of 18 increases the risk of developing schizophrenia.

“Cannabis use carries significant health risks, especially for people who use it frequently and/or begin to use it at an early age.” ~ Centre of Addiction and Mental Health

Myth: Drinking and using drugs: “Everybody is doing it!”

Fact: Not “everybody” is doing it. In fact most young people are not doing it. Most who do use substances do so infrequently, at parties or on “occasions“. Most teens do not drink or do drugs regularly. The amount of young people using substances may differ from one community to the next, but overall a lot of Canadian youth are not using substances. Want proof? Check out the survey results from this student survey done in Ontario about substance use (update - survey results are no longer available).

Myth: Drugs used by previous generations were way stronger.
Fact: Today’s drugs are much more potent (and therefore more addictive) than the drugs of previous generations – some are up to 70% more potent. There are also drugs around now that weren’t around when our parents were young.

Myth: Teenagers are too young to develop a substance use issue.

Fact: Substance use can become a problem at any age. Even unborn children can get addicted because of their mother’s drug use. Some people can be more likely to develop an issue, have an overdose, or other immediate and dangerous health issue regardless of how many times they've used the substance.

Myth: I can try drugs just once and then stop.

Fact: This might be true. Many people use substances once or a few times and then move on without issue. However, every person who has ever developed an issue with substances started the same way. No one develops a substance use issue or addiction on purpose. It always starts with “just trying” stuff and develops from there, and some substances are more addictive than others. All sorts of complicated factors can affect who develops a dependence on substances and who doesn’t. It’s impossible to tell where substance use will take you or how it might develop, so it's best to avoid the risk.

Myth: Developing a tolerance to alcohol is a good thing.

Fact: If you feel nothing after several drinks, that can be an indication that there is a problem. Many people who use substances regularly build up a tolerance, which means they need more and more to get the desired result. For example: A casual drinker wouldn’t be able to finish a couple of six-packs – and if they did, they’d feel very sick. If you’re drinking this much and feeling “fine”, it could be a strong indication that you need to slow down or seek help.

Myth: Using prescription medications to get high is safer than using illicit/illegal drugs.

Fact: Prescription medications are just as dangerous and addictive as other drugs. Opiates (prescription painkillers like Oxycontin or Fentanyl) are a good example of prescription medications that are highly addictive and extremely dangerous. Using these drugs can stop your heart, your breathing or both. Research shows that students who take prescription drugs for non-medical reasons are at least five times more likely to develop a substance use issue than those who don’t (McCabe, 2008).

Myth: Taking medication prescribed by a doctor isn’t dangerous and isn’t really substance use.

Fact: Sometimes people start off taking medication prescribed by a doctor in order to deal with a medical issue and then begin taking that medication too much, too often or for reasons outside of what it is intended for. This behaviour is called “substance use/misuse” or “substance abuse”. Medications are still substances, and have the potential to become problematic and dangerous if misused. Mixing prescription meds with any other substances without being aware of potential side effects is always a bad idea. Follow your doctor’s orders carefully, and don’t keep secrets from your doctor about drugs you have taken/are currently taking. 

People who seek treatment for substance use that is concerning to them or causing problems in their life can do so in a number of ways.

Treatment could include:

• Group therapy or meetings (like Alcoholics Anonymous)
• Counseling
• Peer support
• Medical intervention (to address critical or immediate physical health issues that have happened because of substance use)
• Detox (time spent in a controlled area during the withdrawal period)
• Spending time in a hospital or other treatment centre
• Medication (to manage cravings or ease withdrawal)
• Family and social support or intervention
• A combination of all of the above

Treatment for substance use might be geared toward what a person's goals are. For some, the goal may be to completely stop using substances altogether, and for others a more gradual approach is needed to help them decrease their use in smaller steps.

Substance use can also be complicated by other mental health concerns. Treatment strategies may also include addressing these issues as well as the substance use issue.

Family members of someone who has a problem with substance use may participate in therapy or support groups, or benefit from learning about it and ways to support their loved one at home.

Every story is different, and sometimes people need to try different types of supports before they find the right plan for them.

A person living with a substance use issue, like any other person, will benefit from maintaining wellness and having good supports in their life. 

Trying to support someone that is using substances in a way that is problematic can be challenging.

Here are some tips that might help:

• Learn about substance use, and the signs that might indicate that it is becoming a problem.
• A lot of social situations might include drugs and alcohol. If you think your friend is struggling with substance use issues, hang out with them in a drug-free environment and help them to avoid situations that would trigger substance use.
• You may think your friend's substance use is risky or problematic, but they might not see it that way. If you are really worried about it, speak up and let them know you care about them and want to be supportive.
• If you feel like you need to talk to a friend about their problematic substance use, here are some tips that might help:
  ○     Wait for a time when they are not high or drunk.
  ○     Pick a place and time that is calm and neutral to talk with them.
  ○     Be prepared to give solid examples as to why you are concerned about their substance use.
  ○     Come prepared with some suggestions of resources for them.
  ○     If you feel comfortable, talk to an adult you trust or find helpful, or other people in your friend’s life who are concerned for some support.

• Even if you've used substances in the past with this person, it’s still ok for you to say something now. Not everyone experiences substance use the same way, and some may be more likely to develop a problem with it than others. You may not have known your friend's substance use was problematic at first, that doesn't mean you can't speak up now.
• Be prepared to stop enabling behaviour. This means not “helping” them to live comfortably with a substance use issue. Example: Don’t cover for them at school or work, don’t give them money to buy substances, don’t participate in substance use with them, etc. This is harder than it sounds, but it may be necessary in order to help your friend get better.
• If you have been hurt, inconvenienced or put at risk because of someone else's substance use, you might feel angry or frustrated with them. It's good to acknowledge that, but speak to them only if you feel calm and ready.
• Encourage professional help for your friend when needed (see Help Section)
• If your friend is in the hospita/rehab, go and visit them if you are able. These enivornments may be scary and overwhelming for them, and a friendly face can help. Make sure to ask about visitor rules first.
• If you worry that your friend is relapsing into unhealthy behaviours, let them know you are worried about them and encourage them to check in with their doctor or family. If you’re really worried about their health and safety, tell an adult you trust.
• Treatment is a process. Relapse is common. Be aware of this and try to be supportive as your friend adjusts.
• Be a sounding board. Listening without judgement and without trying to “fix” their problems can be incredibly helpful.
• Ask your friend how else you can help. It may be as easy as just providing a distraction, asking them to do simple, relaxing things with you (like hanging out, watching a movie, etc.).
• Set some boundaries for yourself, and take care. You can’t help someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it.
• Sometimes, if the situation is becoming unhealthy for you, it’s okay to walk away. You are under no obligation to “save” your friend or continue trying to help them if they are resistant, hostile or affecting your ability to live your own life. You can be supportive, but in the end, you can’t make someone’s decisions for them, and you need to put your health and safety first.

See the Help Section for more info about helping a friend and self care.