Coping Skills for Substance Abuse
What is Substance Abuse?
Think back to a time where you have witnessed someone overindulging with alcohol and drinking more than what they had set out to do. Oftentimes this person becomes extremely intoxicated and will act irrationally and irresponsibly. Substance abuse is a patterned use of drugs or alcohol, where a substance is taken in amounts that are harmful. Keep in mind that any substance can be abused, so be on the lookout for people using drugs such as alcohol, opiates, marijuana, and cocaine. It is because of this that substance abuse is also known as drug abuse.
![]() |
The Progression of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can be seen as the beginning of an addiction, so it is important to understand how abuse can progress to this level. Because substance abuse is the overindulgence of a patterned use of a drug that is harmful to one's body, if continued to be used at this level, tolerance can set in. Tolerance is defined as a person's diminished response to a drug, which in turn allows for the user to continue to use more and more of a particular drug to cause the same effect. Let me provide you with an example. Suppose your uncle is a heavy drinker, and enjoys drinking five beers every night after work just to relax. If this behavior is repeated routinely, your uncle will gain tolerance to alcohol over time and will eventually have to drink more and more just to get the same feeling of relaxation. It is these patterns of overindulgence that can carry you from substance abuse to addiction. Addiction is defined as a disease, where you will heavily rely on a drug and can't stay sober for extended periods of time.
Coping Strategies and Substance Abuse
Experts agree that individuals who utilize healthy coping strategies are more apt to remain alcohol and drug free than those who do not. Remember, stopping the unhealthy patterned use should not be the only item on your checklist that will help you cope with substance abuse or addiction; rather, it is creating a new life where alcohol and drugs do not play a part.
Avoiding high-risk situations
This may seem like an obvious coping strategy, but avoiding high-risk situations help individuals stay away from environments that focus on drug use. An effective way of monitoring yourself and staying away from high-risk situations is following the acronym, HALT. HALT, standing for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired allow you to monitor your body to see if there are any high-risk situations that could influence or encourage you to use. Addiction experts agree that if a person who suffers from abusive or addictive behavior feels hungry, angry, lonely, or tired, they are more likely to use. Throughout the day, make sure that you are eating healthily, taking care of any angry feelings, ensuring that you are not always spending time alone, and getting plenty of rest and sleep, will help minimize impulsive behaviors.
Support Systems
Developing support systems with people who are also sober and care about you is a great coping strategy. One great way to meet sober people is through the attendance of a 12-step meeting. 12-step meetings are a way to immerse yourself into a culture that demands sobriety, while also providing you with support. Other attendees at these meetings will also be struggling with a substance abuse or addiction issue and will be able to relate to what is going on with your life.
Relax
This may not be as easy as it sounds, but relaxing is a great coping strategy to stop you from relapsing and going back to destructive behaviors. At one time or another, we all know that having a glass of wine at the end of the day would help us relax and unwind from a hard day's work; however, now is the time to learn new ways to relax, sans the alcohol or drugs! There are many other ways to relax other than using drugs or drinking. Try meditation techniques, read a book, go for a walk, or even watch television. Find what works for you and provides you the deep feeling of relaxation.
Sober Activities
Along with a new support system will come new activities to participate in. Find different sober activities that you can participate in that do not involve drinking or using drugs. This is a very effective coping strategy as you can't always participate in old behaviors and expect to be successful in staying clean and sober. Some good examples of activities that you could try include visiting a comedy club, completing volunteer work, joining a sports team, or even visiting the library. The key to this coping strategy is to step outside of your comfort zone and find activities that interest you. Be open to these new experiences!
Lesson Summary
Substance abuse is a patterned use of drugs or alcohol, where a substance is taken in amounts that are harmful. Different substances that can be abused include that of alcohol, marijuana, opiates, and cocaine. Over time, people exposing themselves to these behaviors will develop tolerance, where they won't be affected by the drug as much as they used to be. This will lead to a heavier use, as well as the experience of addiction.
Coping strategies can help treat substance abuse and addiction, so it is important to try new activities and monitor feelings and emotions. Following the acronym of HALT helps ensure that someone doesn't get too hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. Other coping strategies can include developing sober support systems through 12-step meetings, trying new activities, and learning to relax. The key to these coping strategies is to keep an open-mind.
The contents of the Study.com Site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Study.com Site ('Content') are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Study.com Site.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Study.com does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by Study.com, Study.com employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Study.com, or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Prompts About Coping Skills for Substance Abuse:
Essay Prompt 1:
Write an essay of about one paragraph that defines substance abuse and explains why substance abuse is also known as drug abuse.
Example: Substances that can be abused are often drugs, such as cocaine, so sometimes the terms substance abuse and drug abuse are used interchangeably.
Essay Prompt 2:
In approximately two to three paragraphs, define addiction and explain the role of tolerance in increasing substance abuse.
Example: Tolerance causes people who abuse substances to constantly crave larger and larger amounts of the substance.
Graphic Organizer Prompt:
Make a chart, poster, or some other type of graphic organizer that illustrates the four main coping strategies outlined in the lesson (avoiding high-risk situations, using support systems, relaxing, engaging in sober activities).
Example: For support systems, you could draw a staircase with 12 steps to depict 12-step meetings.
List Prompt 1:
Make a list of at least five ways a person could relax. You can either try to recall some of the examples listed in the lesson, or try to come up with your own.
Example: Lying on a beach.
List Prompt 2:
Make a list of at least five sober activities. Recall the examples given in the lesson, or come up with your own.
Example: Taking a class on a subject of interest.
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackCoping Skills for Substance Abuse
Related Study Materials
- General History Lessons
- General Science Lessons
- TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293): Practice & Study Guide
- Next Gen NCLEX-PN Study Guide & Practice
- Next Gen NCLEX-RN Study Guide & Practice
- Developing Writing Skills in the Classroom
- Teaching Phonics
- Measuring Performance in Accounting
- Post World War II Events & Politics
- General US History
- Should I Homeschool My Child?
- How to Register for the Pennsylvania Core Assessment Exam
- How to Pick Your Homeschool Curriculum
- Role of Student Support in Open & Distance Learning
- TExES Principal Exam Redesign (068 vs. 268)
- Teacher Salary by State
- ESL Resource Guide for Teachers
Latest Courses
- Walrus Adaptations: Lesson for Kids
- Hope in Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl: Quotes & Examples
- Alice Munro's Gravel: Summary & Themes
- What is NATO? - Definition & Country Members
- Suspension Bridge Overview & Parts | What is a Suspension Bridge?
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Analysis
- The Fire Next Time: Summary & Analysis
- Chess Basics: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Quiz & Worksheet - Hydrogenated Fats Overview
- Bumblebee Bats: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Quiz & Worksheet - Chancery Courts
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Formative Assessment in Schools | A Guide to Formative Assessment
- Teaching ELL Students | Strategies for English Language Learners | Study.com
Latest Lessons
- OUP Oxford IB Math Studies: Online Textbook Help
- Finance 102: Personal Finance
- Public Speaking: Skills Development & Training
- Comprehensive English: Tutoring Solution
- High School Physical Science: Tutoring Solution
- Understanding Environmental Issues in Business
- Legal & Ethical Issues in Psychology Lesson Plans
- Quiz & Worksheet - Practice Interpreting Scientific Graphs and Charts
- Quiz & Worksheet - Features of Theatrical Design
- Quiz & Worksheet - The Oval Portrait Synopsis
- Quiz & Worksheet - Process vs. Job Order Costing
- Quiz & Worksheet - Ribose
Popular Courses
- Cells With & Without a Nucleus: Structure & Classification
- What Was the Bank War of 1832? - Definition & Summary
- 1st Grade Reading Level Books
- Utah Science Standards
- Persuasive Writing Prompts: Middle School
- Overview of the PTE Academic Listening Section
- Martin Luther King Jr. Lesson Plan
- Online Science Lessons to Use for School Closures
- STEM & Next Generation Science Standards
- Using Reading Level Correlation Charts
- Volleyball Lesson Plan
- Greek & Latin Roots Games
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers