Substance Misuse (Drugs and Alcohol)

Substance misuse refers to using alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription medications in a way they are not meant to be used. Substance misuse amongst young people can vary from experimentation, occasional social usage, through to dependency and addiction. Substance misuse, of any form, can have a detrimental impact on young people’s health, well-being and functioning.

Alongside peer group culture, expectations and norms, parental attitudes, and the examples that parents set regarding their own use of alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs, and other substances, are a powerful influence on the decision making, attitude, and behaviour of a young person.

What you might notice if a young person is misusing substances:

Things that might help someone who is misusing substances: