Five patterns of substance use can be identified:
Experimental use
- Where a person tries a substance for the first time out of curiosity, or the desire for a new experience. Youth is a time of experimentation, curiosity and identity search. Part of this involves risk-taking.
- Young people want to try out new things; often one of these things is substances.
- Most young people who experiment with use of substances do not develop major problems.
- However, some young people can have serious adverse reactions to a substance or a mix of substances the first time they use. There are no guarantees of 'safe use'!
Functional use
- Where substance use has a specific purpose in an individual's life (eg, recreation)
- Use is functional (it serves a particular purpose)
- Other aspects of the young person's life are often still intact (eg, they are still attending school)
- They know their substance well and usually have a regular dealer
- Often they have no motivation to stop use because they do not experience / perceive problems.
Dysfunctional use
- Where substance use leads to impaired psychological or social functioning
- Use impacts on personal relationships (often involving fights/arguments with significant others)
- Impacts on schooling/work/training (often resulting in dismissal/periods out of work/training)
- Due to increased problems, individuals may have some motivation to think about their use.
Harmful use 
- Substance use that causes damage to an individual's physical and/or mental health.
Harm results from:
- Intoxication
- Mode of Administration (eg Hepatitis C from sharing of injection equipment)
- Depleted support systems
- Exacerbation of other health issues - physical (eg chronic health problems) and/or mental health (eg schizophrenia)
Dependent use
- Where a substance is used in consistently high doses
- The body is unable to function without the presence of the substance
- Discontinuation of the substance initiates the onset of a withdrawal syndrome
- Upon cessation of use the individual may experience strong cravings for the substance.
What different responses might be required for each pattern/level of use?
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Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
