Using alcohol or other drugs to the point where they cause harm is drug abuse. Drug use becomes abuse when the drug causes the user to suffer negative physical or psychological effects, lose control of himself, alienate people or place himself and others in danger. Drug abusers feel they cannot get by without getting drunk or high. They may even become physically addicted, so that their bodies come to depend on the drug. Avoiding drug abuse in the first place is much easier and safer than dealing with it once it starts.
Avoid situations where you will be pressured into using more of a substance than you want to. Don’t go to parties where binge drinking is likely to be a theme, and don’t go over to your pothead friend’s house to listen to old Pink Floyd albums. If you put yourself in situations where drug abuse is the norm, it will be much harder for you to avoid it.
Know your limits and stick to them. If two drinks makes you relax, but three makes you loopy, stick to two. If you do go overboard using alcohol or another drug, learn from the experience, to avoid losing control next time.
Don’t use alcohol, ecstasy or other drugs just because you are bored. If you do, then drug use will likely become a habit—a way to pass the time and defeat boredom. This can lead to drug abuse.
Know when you need to take a break. If you find yourself drinking or using other drugs heavily, take time off. Spend a month pursuing hobbies and activities that don’t involve drugs and alcohol, to give yourself a chance to gain perspective.
Do not use drugs and alcohol as a way to deal with emotional traumas. Although drinking to forget your breakup will not necessarily lead to addiction, it will lead to abuse. You will probably get very drunk, and may continue to drink more than you should for some time.