Substance use health

Many people use substances such as alcohol, tobacco, prescription, and non-prescription drugs. We use these substances for a variety of reasons, and our use may change on any given day. Learning more about substance use health helps us to:

• Think about our own substance use
• Understand risks and how to reduce harm when using substances
• Support others with their substance use
• Understand how substance use is on a spectrum

Substance use falls along a spectrum ranging from no substance use to substance use disorders. Health and well-being can be supported at any point along this spectrum. If we think about substance use health the way we think of physical and mental health, it will help us be more supportive and less judgmental of the ways and reasons people consume substances. View our tips for safe substance use.

Substance use falls along a spectrum:

• No use: No use of substances
• Substance use – Beneficial: Positive health or social effects
• Substance use – Lower risk: Occasional use that has negligible health or social effects
• Substance use – Problems occurring: Use that has negative consequences for people
• Substance use disorder: Diagnosable medical condition, when consequences don’t change a pattern of use

Research has linked substance use to a variety of problems in the workplace: absenteeism, poor decision-making, unsafe work practices, decreased productivity, and conflicts among employees. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety provides useful information for workplaces including why a workplace should address problematic substance use, the effects of various substances, costs to workplaces, and actions workplaces can take to help address substance use issues.

Employers can refer to Addiction and Mental Health Services, Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for additional support.

Surveillance information related to overdose and drug poisoning is currently in development. For more information, please contact harmreduction@SoutheastPH.ca.