What is Substance Use? [1]
Substance Use: someone takes in alcohol or other drugs without having any harmful results
Example - an adult (older than 21) drinking one or two beers responsibly
Substance Misuse: someone uses alcohol or other drugs and has harmful results or uses substances illegally
Example - a minor drinking any alcohol or using marijuana, an adult getting a hangover after drinking, anyone using illegal drugs like heroin
Substance Abuse: someone keeps on using alcohol or other drugs even when the results are harmful
Example - an adult is using prescription drugs more than they are supposed to and experiences withdrawals when they run out of pills, but they continue to over-use the prescription drugs
Addiction: someone uses alcohol or other drugs uncontrollably in spite of harmful results
Example - an adult is not willing or able to stop smoking marijuana even after getting a DUII for driving while high
Source: [1] Hogan J, Gabrielsen KR, Luna N, Grothaus D. Substance Abuse Prevention: The Intersection of Science and Practice. 2003. Pearson Education, Inc.
Check out the tabs above to learn more about specific substances
What is Prevention?
Our goal at the Hood River County Prevention Department is to protect our community from the consequences of substance misuse and abuse. We want to keep our whole community safe and protect anyone from a dangerous addiction to alcohol or other drugs. We support responsible substance use by people older than 21. The Prevention Department also wants to teach our community about how substance use can affect our bodies and health so people can make informed decisions about using alcohol or other drugs. We want to encourage everyone to not use nicotine or tobacco and teach about the way they harm our bodies and environment.
