It can be away of trying to deal with stress, depression, low self-esteem or anxiety. People may use alcohol or drugs regularly to feel or behave differently, e.g. to become sociable or energetic. Specialist help, such as counselling, may be needed to end the dependence. Alcohol, for instance, used to create feelings of relaxation and disinhibition in social settings, can be inappropriate and cause problems in the workplace. Due to slow reactions, depressant use is particularly dangerous whilst driving or operating machinery.
People using some stimulants can become aggressive.
Illicit stimulants might be used recreationally but the following day at work, a user can feel tired or depressed. Employees may also use stimulants to enable them to work long shifts but repeated and regular use could lead to problems or dependence. They can enhance appreciation of surroundings but can also cause anxiety or paranoia. As they distort the user s sense of time and perception, these drugs would again be dangerous in safety critical jobs. Whilst none of the hallucinogens mentioned cause physical dependence, a user may become psychologically dependent on their effects.