Drug use amongst people of any age can be categorised into three main categories: Experimental, Recreational and Problematic.
For specialist and non-specialist practitioners alike an ability to indentify levels of use and thus act accordingly and in the clients best interests is key to effective intervention. Levels of use can go up and down and what may be recreational use for one young person may well be problematic for another.
The following articles aims to provide a brief outline of the levels of use to provide practitioners with an initial picture of the issues that may be present for clients who find themselves at each stage.
Experimental
It stands to reason but everyone’s initial use of a substance is, by definition experimental. Reasons for use at this stage may include availability, curiosity, peer influence, initiation and anticipation of positive effects.
Experimental drug use amongst adolescents should not be viewed in isolation as it represents a wider desire amongst this group to attempt and try a range of new experiences. Not all experimental drug and alcohol users move on to use substances recreationally.
For adolescents they may remain experimental drug and alcohol users for some time, it should not be viewed as a time limited stage of use. Some adolescents may only choose to use substances when they are available, which may be infrequent. The lack of seeking the drug out, or those using it, can be a further sign of experimental drug or alcohol use.
It is also not true that all experimental drug and alcohol users are adolescents, many adults may also experiment with drugs and our alcohol at any stage of their lives.
Recreational
Those that have experimented with drugs and or alcohol may choose to remain at the experimental stage. They may however move on to become recreational users of a particular substance or substances.
Recreational drug and or alcohol use can be thought about in terms many of us find familiar, given that we may be recreational users of alcohol. Recreational use can be identified by having set patterns to use (evenings and weekends possibly), a motivation to use to relax, pleasure is obtained from the experience and use often does not occur on consecutive days.
The user will also continue to function and complete everyday tasks that are expected (attending school, college, work etc). Often the user has found a drug of choice and has discovered how to enjoy and maximise its positive effects.
Problematic
As the name suggests problematic users of substances have progressed beyond the recreational stage and are now dependent on a particular substance or are now poly drug users.
Their behaviour and use has become problematic and the rules and boundaries which governed their recreational use have rapidly diminished.
Psychical and/or psychological are now present which furthers distinguishes the user from experimental and recreational users of substances. The reasons for use in the recreational stage have significantly altered, the process of obtaining the drug rather than the pleasure and relaxation provided by it has become the key driver. Any pattern of use (evenings and weekends) has vanished and the young person’s use has become more regular and less controlled.
Problematic users who are injecting are commonly exposed to further health implications if injecting equipment is shared. All domains start to be affected in this group: psychical, social, emotional and psychological. This group of young people will often have legal problems, be involved in the criminal justice system and experience worklessness.
Friends, family and former social and recreational activities become less important and the user often becomes isolated from former family and friends.
The information above is intended to provide a brief introduction, the most effective way to further educate yourself or your staff is through outcome focused workforce development programmes which can effectively support staff and equip them with the skills to effectively support young people with substance misuse issues when they first arise.
With better education on substance misuse we can reduce the harm they cause.
Mark Bowles
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