When someone’s relationship with drugs and/or alcohol has become unhealthy, it is very common to see them prioritize obtaining and using substances over other important parts of life, such as family relationships, friendships and recreation, school and career, physical health, mental health, housing, finances, and legal consequences. Drugs make healthy thinking and functioning difficult by impairing the part of the brain responsible for judgment and even leading to the individual having the felt sense that they need drugs and/or alcohol just to survive. The mental and physical effects of using drugs/alcohol vary by the specific substance. If you suspect that a loved one is using, you may notice changes to their usual behaviors and demeanor, including potential symptoms such as: