Substance abuse includes overuse of alcohol, use of illegal substances, misuse of common substances in order to get “high” like inhaling fumes, and misuse of prescription drugs. Prescription drug abuse includes taking a prescription drug that is not prescribed for you, or taking it for reasons or in dosages other than as prescribed. Substance abuse is a serious and growing problem, which can result in health problems, loss of jobs and relationships, accidents, and death. West Virginia has one of the highest rates of death by accidental overdose on prescription drugs, and high rates of infants being born to mothers who are misusing substances.
Click on this link for more information about substance abuse/prescription drug abuse: http://www.apa.org/topics/addiction/index.aspx.