If you have ever had to deal with substance abuse either as an abuser or someone who has affected by an abuser, you will find know that it is never an easy thing to deal with. There are a number of different types of substance and there are never good things that come as a result of someone being addicted to or abusing something. Whether it is drugs, alcohol or food, you will find that it is not only hard to stop using them, but the damage that may have been caused may be beyond repair. In any event, you will have a hard time overcoming the problems caused and the battles that will need to faced once someone has started to abuse a substance.
The thing is that you need to watch to know if someone is abusing a substance. Pay attention to what is going in your life and the lives of those around you. You will be able to see differences that people who are abusing a substance will display. In many cases they will be more withdrawn and they will also tend to disappear from a lot of different social circles. They will become more secluded and will want to be alone so they can use more of what they are depending on to provide an escape. You need to look for these behaviors and do something before they get to the point where you will not be able to do something about them.
In order to deal with a person who may be showing the signs of substance abuse, you will need be willing to confront them on their actions. You need to be able to show them what they are doing and how it is affecting them. They will want proof and need to know that they are missed. This way they will not feel the need to live in a bottle of pills or alcohol to feel comfortable. They will want to be involved again and will want to be a part of the life that they once lived and enjoyed.