The diagnosis of substance abuse is given when a person’s recurrent use of a substance results in significant harmful consequences. Substance abuse contains four categories of harmful consequences . First, at an individual’s work, school, or home, responsibilities are failed to be fulfilled. He or she may not show up at work or for classes, be unable to concentrate and therefore will result to poor performance, and possibly even take the substance at work or at school. Second, the individual frequently uses the substance in situations in which it is physically hazardous to do so, such as while driving a car or a boat. Third, the individual repeatedly has legal problems as a result of substance use, such as arrests for the possession of illegal substances or for drunk driving. Fourth, the individual carries on to use the substance, even though he or she has repeatedly had social or legal problems as a consequence of the use. A person has to show repeated problems in at least one of these categories within a 12 month period to qualify for a diagnosis of substance abuse. For some people, the abuse of a particular group of substances evolves into dependence on those substances. In such cases, the diagnosis of substance dependence preempts the diagnosis of substance abuse, since dependence is considered a more advanced condition than abuse. Some individuals abuse substances for years without ever becoming dependent on them, however.
In determining how rapidly a person will become intoxicated and the likelihood that it will lead to substance abuse, the way a substance is administered is an important factor to be known. The routes of administration that produce rapid and efficient absorption of the substance into the bloodstream lead to more intense intoxication and a greater likelihood of dependence. Substance injection, substance smoking, and substance snorting are usually how substances are taken in the body. There are substances that work more rapidly on the central nervous system and, thus, lead to quicker intoxication; they are more likely to lead to dependence or abuse. Lastly, substance whose effects are longer lasting are less likely to lead to dependence or abuse rather than substances whose effects wear off quickly.
The dangers of substance abuse and its negative consequences can be avoided by getting the addicted person to go through a drug rehab. Drug rehab is the best answer to the problems of substance abuse. Drug rehab can easily be accessed. All you have to do is to through the nearest hospital near you and ask what help they can offer.