Have you wondered if your substance use is problematic, or if you're at risk of addiction?

Welcome back to Savvy Psychologist.

I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on this show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches,

a sympathetic ear and zero judgment.

I've had several listener questions and comments related to substance use recently.

Many people have noticed shifts in their use since the start of the pandemic, and with

good reason.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 2020, 13% of Americans

reported starting or increasing substance use to cope with stress or emotions related

to COVID-19.

In addition, nearly 100,000 people died of an overdose in the first year of the pandemic,

which was an increase of 29% from the previous year.

It's also important to note that 75% of those deaths involve synthetic opioids.

All of these data points are me saying, your concerns are valid.

There are many people who had questionable use before the pandemic that is worsened,

as well as folks who barely used that now use on a regular basis.

It's important for you to understand some concepts related to substance use and its effects,

so you can make informed decisions for yourself and seek help if necessary.

The first thing to note is that when I speak about drugs, I'm speaking about both illegal

and legal substances.

Obviously, the consequences of caffeine are different from the consequences of meth, but

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