This document discusses substance use, abuse, and addiction. It defines substance use and abuse, describes how substances affect the brain's reward system, and lists some common classes of substances like depressants, stimulants, and opioids. The document also examines some causes of substance abuse, signs and symptoms, and health risks. Finally, it discusses the stigma associated with substance abuse and how labels can negatively impact people's self-concept and willingness to seek help. Reducing stigma is important so people feel comfortable accessing treatment and support services.

1. By: Renee Lesperance & Jaclyn Lugmayr

2.  Substance use: Using one or many substances
(Alcohol, Marijuana, cocaine ect.)
 Substance Abuse: Ingestion of substances that:
 Interfere with relationships, family and friends
 Interferes with the persons ability to work, go to
school, or fulfill obligations
 Results in legal problems (ex breaking the law)
 Substance Abuse involves taking the substance in
excessive amounts and experiencing withdrawal
symptoms when substance is stopped. Substance
abuse is a medical condition.
(Canoe Health, 2014).

3.  Depressants (eg. Alcohol, benzodiazepines)
 Stimulants (eg. cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA)
 Hallucinogens (eg. LSD)
 Opiods (eg. Heroin, morphine)
(Canoe Health, 2014).

4.  “Almost all substances associated with
substance use problems affect the "reward
mechanism" in the brain.The main chemical
messenger involved in the brain's reward
mechanism is dopamine. Each time the person
uses the substance they feel good, which makes
them want to use the substance again. Over
time, changes in the brain occur (e.g., less
dopamine is produced), which lessens the
pleasurable effects of the substance and larger
amounts are needed to get the same feeling”
(Canoe Health, 2014).

5.  Some causes could be genetics and the person’s
environment. For example if you mother used
cocaine when you were a baby you are more
likely to develop a substance use problem. Also
some things in your environment such as school
or work being stressful, family, friends ect. Also
mental health conditions such as anxiety and
depression can affect a person’s substance
intake.
(Canoe Health, 2014).

6.  Physical Dependence (tolerance) to the substance
 Loss of relationships or work
 Changes is mood and behaviours
 Changes in eating habits
 Feeling of being superior which can lead to dangerous
activity
 Physical problems (lung disease, liver disease, brain
damage, heart disease)
 Severe anxiety, paranoia
 AIDS or Hepatitis can be transmitted through dirty
needles
 Withdrawal symptoms (shaking, diarrhea, vomiting,
nausea and headaches)
 Death from overdose
(Canoe Health, 2014).

7.  Symbolic Integrationist Perspective: Labelling
Theory
“ A symbolic integrationist theory that is concerned
with the effects of labelling on the definition of a
social problem (e.g., a social condition or group is
viewed as problematic if it is labelled as such) and
with the effects of labelling on the self- concept
and behaviour of individuals (e.g., the label
“juvenile delinquent” may contribute to the
development of a self- concept and behaviour
consistent with the label) (Mooney, Holmes, Know
& Schacht, 2013, p. 114).
SociologicalTheory

8.  If someone is using illegal substance then it
becomes the persons “master status”
 It causes the person to be defined as a substance
user by others
 It can prevent people from reaching out and
seeking help because of the stigma associated
with substance abuse
 Ex. If a person is caught selling drugs then they
may adopt the self-concept of a “druggie” or a
“pusher”.
(Mooney, Holmes, Know & Schacht, 2013, p. 114)
SociologicalTheory Con’t

9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NZGPVBCr
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10.  Reducing Stigma associated with substance
abuse
 Making People aware of the resources out
there:
Canadian Mental Health Associate
AL anon & Nar anon
Addictions Counseling

11.  Stigma refers to negatives attitudes and
behaviours towards people
 Stigma associated with substance use and
abuse
 May hinder the likelihood of substance users
or abusers seeking help or even admitting to
a problem in the first place because they are
scared of how people will look at them

12.  1 in 7 Canadians aged 15 and older have
alcohol related problems
 1 in 20 have cannabis related concerns or
problems with cocaine, heroin, ecstasy,
and other illegal drugs
 Substance use or abuse problems can
affect people of all ages, education and
income levels, religions, cultures,
background, etc
Stigma con’t

13.  One of the major reasons for the stigma related to
substance use and abuse is the fact that people do
not understand it, just like mental illness
 People often believe that the substance users did
this to themselves and they could stop if they
wanted to
 However, as we know substance use affects your
brain and once someone is addicted it is hard to
quit
 It is important to remember there are many
precipitating factors to substance use and abuse to
take into consideration as to why the person
started taking using the substances
Stigma con’t

14. The stigma associated with substance abuse
limits people’s ability to:
 Get and keep a job
 Get and keep a safe place to live
 Get health care and other supports
(including treatment for their substance
problem)
 Be accepted by family, friends, and
community
 Take part in social activities

15. Prejudice and discrimination often become
internalized by people with substance use
problems.This leads them to:
 Believe the negative things that other
people and the media say about them
(self-stigma)
 Have lower self-esteem because they feel
guilt and shame.
This results in them avoiding to get the help
they need and therefore their substance
use problems are less likely to go away.

16.  This is why we have to work to reduce
stigma, so people with substance abuse
problems do not feel embarrassed or
ashamed and can come forward and get the
help they need
 In relation to the sociological theory, we need
to stop the labelling involved with substance
use to stop the behaviour

17. Canoe Health. (2014). Mental health: substance use problems. Retrieved
from http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_condition_info_details.asp?disease_id=45&channel_id=11
&relation_id=54591
Center forAddiction and Mental Health. (2012). Stigma. Retrieved from
http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/health_information/a_z_mental_health_and_addiction_informa
tion/stigma/Pages/stigma_brochure.aspx
HelpGuide.org. (n.d.). Drug abuse and addiction. Retrieved
from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.ht
m
Livingston, J., Milne,T., Fang, M., & Amari, E. (2012, January).The effectiveness of interventions for
reducing stigma related to substance use disorders: a systematic review. Addictions, 107 (1). doi:
10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03601.x
Mooney, L., Holmes, M., Know, D., & Schacht, C. (2013). Understanding Social Problems. Toronto:
Nelson Education Ltd.