Substance and alcohol abuse comes with variety of adverse effects on the individual. The effects affect all areas of life including the physical mental social and even financial status of an individual or the family.

• Alcohol Abuse

It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States as it impairs the overall functioning of the body and the brain. Alcohol can cause people to be engaged in risky sexual behaviors that may subject to various risks others will have poor performance at their job as well as poor grades for those going to school. Long term alcohol abuse causes damage to the liver the nervous system the brain and the heart and may also lead to high blood pressure and even cancer among other health complications.

• Substance Abuse

This encompasses the use of illegal drugs as well as the legal prescription and non-prescription drugs. People engage in drugs for various reasons such as to alleviate stress or emotional problems or to just get high. Some of these drugs are available in various areas especially club drugs which are the main causes of drug overdose cases across the country. Drug dependence occurs when the user develops an emotional attachment for a drug and is unable to control their use.

• High Risk Groups

There are groups of people who are more prone to substance and alcohol abuse related problems. Teenagers and young adults are the make the highest number of these people and can involve in many risky behaviors such as crime accidents and injuries. Though women are less likely to involve in drugs those whoare already abusing the substances are more prone to health problems associated with these drugs. The other groups include low-income earners and adults over 65 years. Children of drug-abusing mothers are also prone to the behavior when they grow up.

• Symptoms

These substances and alcohol cause a lot of behavioral and physical changes in the victim. Some of the common symptoms and sign include failure to undertake some of the basic responsibilities such as going to school or work at the right time andpracticing good hygiene. Other symptoms include change of emotional status mainly geared toaggressive or anxious behavior and instances of nervousness that may impair with the ability to think straight and reason well. Strains in relationships such as arguments over consequences of intoxication are also another indication of substance and alcohol abuse.

• Treatment

Many victims of substance and alcohol abuse usually think that they can get treated by themselves but this is not entirely true though there have been some instances of success. Getting treatment is a personal initiative as an unwilling person cannot get treated because they mind is not set on getting the treatment. Visiting a counselor can prepare patients for the treatment programs as they will be provided with relevant information that will enable them get intoprogram and rehab of their choice. It is important to understand that treatments are varied as per the rehab of choice and therefore it is essential to carry out extensive research on a good rehabilitation center.