Screening for Substance Abuse by Teri R. Simpson, R.N., B.S.N., C.E.N., C.C.R.N, C.F.R.N., EMT-P Kirkhof School of Nursing Grand Valley State University Substance abuse can be seen in everyday life.
Abuse simply means using a substance improperly or excessively.
Substance abuse causes many problems, including injuries and deaths from car accidents, illness, violence, and suicide. Scientists have found that people who are addicts have a different brain chemistry than others. This leads scientists to believe that addiction is, in part, a hereditary disease. Another factor might be the environment in which a person is raised. Generally, addiction can be treated, but not cured.