Making Healthier Choices about Substance Use

Whenever we choose to use substances, it is helpful to know what steps we can take to ensure that our use is the least harmful possible.

Most of us use substances in ways that carry minimal risk. But sometimes we may get distracted or lose our way and start using more, and more often.

As a general rule, substance use is a problem when it negatively affects our life or the lives of others. But change is always possible, whether that change means reducing current use or quitting altogether.

These resources provide tips for making healthier choices about substance use, and where to go for more support. They also include information about health effects and discuss some of the reasons we use substances.

Learn more:

• You and Substance Use: Stuff to think about…and ways to make changes
• Learn About Alcohol
• Learn About Caffeine
• Learn About Cannabis
• Learn About Cocaine
• Learn about Clubbing and the Dance Music Scene
• Learn About GHB, Ketamine and Rohypnol
• Learn About Heroin
• Learn About Inhalants
• Learn About MDMA (Ecstasy or Molly)
• Learn About Medications
• Learn About Methamphetamine
• Learn About Steroids
• Learn About Tobacco
• Learn About Tripping

This information was prepared by CMHA BC Division on behalf of the BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information and HeretoHelp. Funding was provided by BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. For more resources visit HeretoHelp.bc.ca.