Substance Abuse :
Substance use disorder is defined as the misusing or overusing of substances and can present itself not only physically but also mentally. It would involve people misusing substances that are either alcohol or prescription drugs, or illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. Principally, substance use disorder starts out as a recreation but ends up becoming a dependency whereby the body starts craving it and will not function if it is not present. Common symptoms and signs include inappropriate behavior, failure to perform duties, and risk taking while on the substance. Health complications related to this include liver disease, heart complications, and mental illness, which may be depression or anxiety. This condition is treated by detoxification, counseling, and medication to try to abate the craving and physical withdrawal from the substance. Secondly, counseling and rehabilitation are necessary in cases of multiple substance use dependencies so that the individual progressively rebuilds his or her life but never goes back to addiction. Substance abuse is something that hurts not only the addict but the family and the community in general, hence importance attached to early intervention and treatment.