Drugs, alcohol and gambling

Drugs and alcohol 

Drugs and alcohol (sometimes called ‘substances’) can cause a range of short and long-term health issues. This depends on what substances you use, how much and how often and your general health.

Some people feel the need to use drugs or alcohol regularly, even though it is harming them or people around them. This is considered addiction and is a condition which can be very hard to manage.

There are things people can do to use drugs and alcohol in safer ways to reduce the risks. And there are services that can help, however much you are using or whatever your worry.

Gambling

There are different ways that people gamble, including:

• arcades
• betting
• bingo
• casinos
• lotteries
• gaming machines

The internet and smartphones has made gambling much more available, as more and more people can do it online in their own home, at any time.