About Substance Use & Addiction
Many of the harms associated with drug use are actually from the way that society treats drug use, and people who use drugs, rather than the drug use itself.
Prohibition—that is, making drugs illegal—contributes to discrimination and stigma against people who use drugs and leads people to hide their use due to fears of discrimination and criminalization. This discrimination and stigma can prevent people who use drugs from getting good quality, non-judgmental healthcare, safe housing, and employment.
Substance Use Spectrum
- medical purposes
- personal enjoyment
- religious or ceremonial purposes
- to cope with stress, trauma or pain
- Non-use (abstinence)
- Beneficial use
- Lower-risk use
- Higher-risk use
- Addiction (substance use disorder)
Addiction is a complex process where problematic patterns of substance use or behaviours can interfere with a person’s life. Addiction can be broadly defined as a condition that leads to a compulsive engagement with a stimuli, despite negative consequences. This can lead to physical and/or psychological dependence.
Addictions can be either substance related (such as the problematic use of alcohol or cocaine) or process-related, also known as behavioural addictions (such as gambling or internet addiction). Both can disrupt an individual’s ability to maintain a healthy life, but there are numerous support and treatment options available.
Addiction is a treatable medical condition that affects the brain and involves compulsive and continuous use despite negative impacts to a person, their family, friends and others. For example, when someone cannot stop using drugs, tobacco or alcohol even if they want to.
Find out how substances work, what their street names are, and the signs of being under the influence. HeretoHelp.bc.ca has information on: