Prevent and protect
I'm interested in being proactive
Understand substance use disorders (SUDs) and reduce your risks by being proactive and making healthy choices.
A commitment to wellbeing can help you lead a healthy and fulfilling life free from substance use.
Be in the know
Understanding SUDs is an important step towards wellbeing. Learning about the contributing factors, risks, and symptoms can help you make informed decisions about your health.
There are many factors that can lead someone to develop a SUD. Some of these include:
- Experiencing an unhealthy social environment, isolation, or a lack of family involvement.
- Having a family history or a genetic predisposition.
- An underlying mental health condition.
- Pressure from friends and social norms, particularly with adolescents.
- Early exposure/use and/or taking a highly addictive drug.
Common SUDs involve a variety of substances, including alcohol, stimulants, cannabis, opioids, depressants, hallucinogens and inhalants.
The condition journey
SUDs develop gradually over time. While the disorder progression looks different for everyone, there are four main stages.
Recognizing the signs of SUDs
Recognizing the signs of a substance use disorder is crucial to get the appropriate treatment and support. While most will try to hide their substance use, there are some signs that may indicate a substance use disorder.
Reducing your risk
While there's no surefire way to prevent SUDs, you can significantly reduce your risk by taking proactive steps like using prescription medications responsibly, minimizing misuse, building a supportive environment, developing healthy coping skills and prioritizing mental health.
Substance use and mental health: Understanding the connection
There's a strong link between mental health and substance use. People experiencing conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD may use substances to cope with their symptoms. This can create a cycle where substance use worsens mental health, and mental health challenges fuel further substance use. Effective treatment addresses both SUDs and underlying mental health conditions.
Are you or someone you know struggling with substance use?
Learn about common terms you may need to know.
Care for yourself
Bonus tip
Early intervention: If you're experiencing any warning signs of substance use or are concerned about your risk, seek professional help early.
Ready to take charge of your health and reduce your risk of developing a SUD? These simple, everyday choices can make a big difference.
Fuel your body
- Stable mood: Eating regular, balanced meals helps stabilize blood sugar, which can prevent mood swings that might increase vulnerability to substance use.
- Healthy coping: Reach for nutritious snacks instead of turning to substances when you're feeling stressed or bored.
- Brainpower: A healthy diet supports brain function and can improve decision-making skills related to substance use.
Move more
- Stress buster: Exercise is a natural stress reliever and can reduce anxiety and depression, which are often linked to substance use.
- Endorphin boost: Physical activity releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects and can reduce cravings.
- Healthy habits: Regular exercise can help establish a routine and promote a sense of control, making it easier to resist unhealthy impulses.
Rest and recharge
- Emotional regulation: Sufficient sleep improves emotional regulation and reduces impulsivity, making it easier to make healthy choices and avoid impulsive substance use.
- Cope with stress: Sleep deprivation can increase stress and anxiety, which can increase the likelihood of turning to substances to cope.
- Mental clarity: Getting enough sleep promotes mental clarity and focus, making it easier to recognize and resist triggers for substance use.
Manage stress
- Healthy outlets: Developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress reduces the urge to rely on substances for escape or relief.
- Emotional awareness: Mindfulness and meditation can increase self-awareness to help you identify emotions and triggers for substance use.
- Resilience: Stress management techniques build resilience and help you navigate challenging situations without resorting to substances.
Nurture your connections
- Support system: Strong social connections provide a sense of belonging and support, which can act as a buffer against substance use.
- Positive influences: Surrounding yourself with positive influences can reduce exposure to risky situations and encourage healthy behaviors.
- Alternative activities: Engaging in social activities and hobbies can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, reducing the appeal of substance use.
Dow provides resources to support you every step of the way...
- Dow Wellbeing Portal puts resources at your fingertips that can help you take the first step toward better health. This includes coaching as well as specific journeys, which are self-guided courses to help you develop healthy habits. There are topics related to substance use such as Explore Life Without Alcohol, among others.
- Spring Health (Dow’s Employee Assistance Program partner) offers personalized, convenient care and resources to support your overall wellbeing and to help you through any of life’s challenges.
- Nicotine can be highly addictive. Quit for Life® can help you kick the tobacco habit for good.
- Online information and resources are available to help you learn about and maximize all that Dow makes available to support your overall health.