 | January 2019
Substance Use Snapshot
Recreational Use vs Addiction
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WHAT IS RECREATIONAL SUBSTANCE USE?
“Recreational” is a term that is used to describe how often a drug is used and the impact is has on the person’s life.
“Recreational” is the belief that use is casual and something done in one’s spare time.
It is a subjective term as the context of drug use is different for everyone. For example, one person may use alcohol for years with little or no impact on aspects of their lives; whereas, another person may die from a single use of fentanyl.
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There is a continuum of use, and its impact. A user may view their use as recreational, while others around them may view it as further along the addiction continuum.
It is important to remember that there is risk associated with any use, but many substances have benefits as well.
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WHAT IS ADDICTION?
“Addiction” generally means that a person has developed tolerance to a substance and has withdrawal symptoms when they stop using it.
However, not all substances cause tolerance and dependence, and people can develop psychological dependence without physical withdrawal symptoms if they stop using.
Many health professionals use the terms: “substance use problem”, “problematic use” or substance misuse” instead of “addiction
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Some professionals believe in a disease model whereby “addiction” is seen as a disease that requires treatment and careful monitoring (Alcoholics Anonymous is based on this model).
Current theories include the idea that substance misuse reflects a need for comfort as a response to childhood trauma, repressed anger and a host of other “human” ailments.
Others believe “addiction” is learned behavior and can therefore be “unlearned”.
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THE MOST COMMON REASONS PEOPLE USE DRUGS
To feel good (stimulants can lead to a feeling of power and pleasure, while depressants can bring on a feeling of relaxation and satisfaction).
| To feel better (people can use to lessen feelings of anxiety or intense distress).
To do better (using drugs to increase performance and/or endurance).
For curiosity or social interaction (to meet novelty or risk taking needs and social acceptance).
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| The reasons for using a drug powerfully influence a person’s pattern of use and their risk of harmful consequences. If a person’s motive is more arbitrary and short term, then only occasional use tends to follow, whereas if the motive is strong and long lasting, then more long lasting and intense use may follow.
Place, time and activities associated with substance use powerfully influence a person’s pattern of use and likelihood of harm occurring (i.e. unsupervised teen drinking is likely to be high risk).
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Other factors that can influence drug use, risk and harm:
Social world (peer connections)
Culture (attitudes towards drug use)
Price of Drugs (can affect availability and choice)
Physical and/or Mental Health (reason to use and/or affected by use)
Factors of the specific drug also influence use such as the amount used, the frequency of use and the purity of the drug.
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It is important to remember that these signs could be entirely unrelated to substance use, and a youth may not have any of these changes but could still be using substances.
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BEHAVIOURAL SIGNS:
Change in overall attitude or personality for no other reason
Changes in peer group, friends are drug users, very private about new peer group
Changes in activities or hobbies
Drop in grades in school, skipping classes
Changes in personal grooming
Loss of motivation, and/or overly sensitive
Difficulty paying attention, forgetfulness
Mood swings
Unexplained need for money
Drug equipment |
PHYSICAL SIGNS:
Changes in appetite or eating habits – unexplained weight loss or gain
Slow or staggering walk, poor coordination
Problems sleeping, awake at unusual times
Red, watery eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual, blank stare
Cold, sweaty palms, shaking hands
Puffy face, blushing or paleness
Smell of substance on breath, body or clothes
Runny nose, hacking coughs
Nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating
Tremours or shakes of hands, feet or head
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SIGNS SUGGESTING SUBSTANCE USE IS LESS LIKELY TO BE HARMFUL
- Strict personal rules to limit the amount of drug used
- Use reserved for special occasions only
- Ensuring distance from the drug supply
- A clear understanding of the dangers of drug use
- Taking precautions when using
- Being able to stop using at any time
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SIGNS SUGGESTING THAT SUBSTANCE USE MAY BE RISKY OR HARMFUL
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Regular use at an early age
- Use to cope with depression or anxiety
- Habitual daily use
- Use before or during school or work | - Use while driving or during vigorous physical activities
- Use of more than one substance at the same time
- Use as a major form of recreation
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Non-use: not using at all
Experimental Use: when a person first tries substances for a few times. They may be curious, want to fit in or believe that nothing bad will happen
Social or Recreational Use: the person seeks out and uses a substance to enhance a social occasion. Use is irregular, infrequent, and usually occurs with others
Regular Use: means substance use has become part of the person’s life. They may not give it much thought before they use and they may find it difficult to engage in certain activities without using substances. The person may start to develop tolerance or dependency
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Harmful Use: when the use of substances is having a negative consequence on the person’s daily life and may begin to affect their health. The person may think about getting or using drugs a lot of the time and using as much as possible.
Dependant Use: They may develop tolerance and dependence to the substances and experience withdrawal if they stop using (this depends on the substance(s) being used)
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| GENERAL HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES
1. Avoid, Delay, Reduce Use
2. Don‘t Use Alone
3. Carry Naloxone, if around
Opioids:
Toward the Heart
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The Greater Victoria School District is committed to providing safe and healthy learning environments for all students. As part of our approach, we have been focusing on mental health and substance use topics to help us promote well-being in our schools.
Substance use is a complex topic that often highlights varied philosophies, myths, and a great deal of fear.
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The research shows us that early interventions, particularly around critical thinking and decision making, has an impact on delaying use in youth. As well, open dialogue with adults, intentionality around attachment, and a focus on the factors that contribute to substance use, as opposed to the actual substances, also prevent, delay and reduce substance use in our students.
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Our goal is to create a more cohesive, systematized substance use plan focusing on social emotional learning, that includes our youth and schools, community partners, and families. We strive for a shared vision, common language and consistent messaging over time, in order to support positive youth culture and a healthy perspective on substance use and mental health.
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The legal age in B.C for consumption of alcohol and cannabis is 19 years old.
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