Alcohol, drugs and addictions

Impacts of substance use and addictions on health and wellbeing

It is important to understand and recognise the effects of substance use and addictions on your health and wellbeing. Substances include alcohol, tobacco, drugs and misused medications. Substances and addictions can alter emotions, thoughts and behaviour. Addiction develops when your brain becomes accustomed to getting pleasure from a certain thing and demands more and more of it. This can result in you spending a lot of time and money on the addiction and neglecting other important things in your life.

Preventing substance abuse and gaming problems before they arise – EHYT Finnish… Do you need information or support to prevent substance abuse problems? The website also contains information on training sessions and advice that can help you or your loved one in different situations.

Mental health and substance abuse services – Wellbeing Services County of Vanta…

Wellbeing services – Wellbeing Services County of Vantaa and Kerava Find support from services and events related to substance use and addiction easily in one place.

Substances and addictions affect your wellbeing in many ways

Substance use and addictions can affect your everyday life in many ways. They may weaken your ability and willingness to exercise and reduce your interest in hobbies, friends and family life. Your ability to work and study may be reduced. Substance use and addictions may disturb your sleep and weaken your nutrition. It is important to identify this impact and seek help in time to maintain your wellbeing.

Do you recognise the risks associated with your substance use?

If you want to examine your substance use, you can use the information and various tests and counters that you can find online.

Tests and counters – AddictionLink Tests and counters help you perceive your own situation in terms of alcohol or other substances, or your mood, for example. The results can help you seek support if you need it.

Symptom scales – MentalHub.fi Use the symptom scales to identify potential risks. The scales help you assess your use of alcohol or drugs, for example.

Self-care programme for reducing alcohol consumption – MentalHub.fi (in finnish) Do you feel that you use too much alcohol, or would you like to reduce your alcohol consumption? The self-care programme provides practical tools and support for managing and reducing alcohol consumption.

Self-care programme for drug use – MentalHub.fi (in finnish) Are you worried about your drug use? If you are concerned about drug use or want to reduce it, the self-care programme provides you support and tools to support change.

Do you recognise any other addictions?

Would you like more information about addictions, such as gambling or internet and social media addiction? Addiction may also involve compulsive sexual behaviour, physical activity or shopping. These are called behavioural addictions. Behavioural addictions work through the same brain mechanisms as substance addictions.

Behavioural addictions – AddictionLink (in finnish) Are you worried about excessive internet use or gambling? Learn about behavioural addictions and find information on topics such as gambling and internet addiction.

Do you ever feel you might be playing too much? - Peluuri Do you or does your loved one have a gambling problem? Discover the support available and easily take the self-assessment online.

Support – Tiltti (in finnish) Are you concerned about gambling? Discover the support available and find ways to manage the negative effects of gambling and support recovery.

Self-care programme for financial trouble – MentalHub.fi (in finnish) Are you distressed about your financial situation? The self-care programme for financial trouble provides support and tools for managing and resolving financial challenges.

Information and support for gambling problems – Pelirajaton (in finnish) Do you or does your loved one need support for challenges related to gambling? Learn about the activities and find peer support, information and understanding on the impacts of gambling.

You can get help for addictions, so don't face them alone. Don’t hesitate to seek help!