Substance use disorder, also known as addiction, is a condition of complexity in which a person has an uncontrollable need to use a substance despite there being harmful consequences to do so. The person will continue to use the substance in question, whether it be alcohol, tobacco, prescription medication or illicit drugs to the point where their ability to function on a day-to-day basis is compromised. People with a substance use disorder may have distorted thinking, habits and behaviours, this along with changes in the brain’s structure and function are what cause people to have intense cravings, changes in personality, and abnormal behaviours. Studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to judgment, decision making, learning, memory, and behavioural/impulse control. Repeated substance use can cause changes in how the brain functions. These changes can last long after the immediate effects of the substance wears off, or in other words, after the period of intoxication. Intoxication is the intense pleasure, euphoria, calm, increased perception and sense, and other feelings that are caused by the substance. Intoxication symptoms are different for each substance. Many individuals can experience struggles with substances throughout their lives or recognise that a substance is beginning to have an impact on health & wellbeing but right now you don't feel its got to the stage of addiction. Together we can work through strategies to help you abstain or cut down and recover the real YOU!