Key points

The use of legal substances (such as caffeine, alcohol and tobacco) is the most common type of substance use. Alcohol and other drug use in Australia is decreasing, despite public perceptions to the contrary.
A person’s age, sex, cultural background and social environment can influence their substance use. People use alcohol and other drugs for a range of reasons and consumptions patterns can vary drug to drug.
Alcohol and other drugs can affect the physical, psychological, mental, social, financial and legal wellbeing of the user, their family and friends, work colleagues, and the wider community.
A common misconception is that the ‘addictive’ nature of certain substances causes them to be harmful.
The use of any substance which affects the mind has the potential to cause harm, and the likelihood of harm occurring increases with greater amounts used.
There are many theories about harmful substance use, none of which fully capture its complex nature. Effective prevention needs to address a range of social and individual factors.

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