To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.
To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.
Drug use often starts occasionally. Drugs may be used, for example, to party or relax.
Many people try drugs while drinking alcohol. In fact, people may start using drugs carelessly. In this case, they may not consider that drugs cause addiction and other harm.
The use of medicinal products may also become problematic gradually and accidentally. Gradually, the treatment of a health problem becomes, for instance, self-medication for anxiety. Eventually one can no longer manage without the medicine.
Drug use and medicinal products abuse may also aim to improve performance or make one's own condition more tolerable.
Drug use or abuse of medicinal products may ease the situation momentarily, but eventually the problems are likely to get worse. If drug use or the abuse of medicinal products also causes problems in your relationships, and your loved ones point this out, please take their concerns seriously.
If you detect any physical or psychological adverse effects, seek help early.
Drugs or intoxicants refer to psychoactive substances defined by law as illicit substances.
The recreational use of drugs refers to the occasional leisurely use of drugs, for instance when partying or for relaxing. Recreational users feel that the consequences of their drug use are mainly positive. However, recreational use also involves adverse effects and may result in mental or physical dependence.
Drug addiction refers to continuous and repeated, compulsive consumption of drugs or medicines. The physical and mental health of a drug addict is deteriorating, and they are unable to regulate the use of the substance. At the same time, the body becomes increasingly accustomed to the substance. Stopping the drug use will cause withdrawal symptoms.
More information:
The adverse effects of substance abuse are reflected in the user's physical health, mental health and relationships.
The health risks of different drugs are different. The substances affect the body and mind differently, so their effects are also different, as are long-term adverse effects. On the other hand, the same drug can affect different people in different ways. Cannabis also causes health hazards.
The purity and strength of the substances vary. Because drugs are illegal, their contents are not controlled. At worst, they contain substances that are dangerous.
Drug use affects relationships: family and friendship relationships can be broken. Absences from work may increase.
Drug use increases the risk of being victims of accidents or violence. Some drugs may also increase violent and unpredictable behaviour.
Continuous substance abuse may change brain function that make it difficult to stop. Occasional recreational use can also become harmful if the life situation is unpleasant or the mind is stressed. In that case, a recreational user may begin to self-medicate by taking drugs more often. The risk of addiction increases significantly.
Pay attention to whether occasional use has become a continuous habit. Also consider whether the situation has developed so that you will no longer be able to cope mentally without drugs.
Use the following questions:
A particularly alarming sign is if the use needs to be continued due to withdrawal symptoms.
People's stories about their own experiences shed light on what makes people use drugs or abuse medicines and how to recover from the problem. You are not alone with your questions.
You can also write about your situation for yourself. For some, writing may be a therapeutic way of looking at their life and the reasons that led to the problem.
Read about the experiences of others or write yourself:
The media also occasionally reports on features such as the drug addiction of celebrities and their recovery. The stories are often limited to one perspective, which may give an overly straightforward idea of recovery.
Please note that recovery means different things for different people depending on the goals or worldviews they have.
Professionals and trained volunteers in healthcare and substance abuse prevention provide you with advice and personal help to identify your situation.
Take the matter up at the health centre of your wellbeing services counties or in occupational health care. You can book a separate appointment or bring up the matter at another visit. There is an obligation of secrecy in health care, so you can discuss the matter without, for example, your employer being informed.
Expert advice and guidance on the right services can be obtained from mental health, substance abuse and addiction services in your wellbeing services county.
Contacting an expert to determine your situation does not yet mean that you have a problem. In any case, it is good that you reflect on your behaviour and lifestyle. You can also receive further help if you feel you need it.
You can receive substance abuse counselling anonymously online. You can either ask a substance abuse expert or speak with an expert by experience, or a person who has had problems with substance abuse.
Substance abuse counselling:
You can find in AddictionLink's website health counseling service points (in Finnish)Opens in a new window. operating in different localities. Health counselling service points provide advice particularly for people who use drugs intravenously.