Substance abuse is a pattern of problematic and chronic use of alcohol, drugs, or a variety of substances that leads to impairment in the person’s ability to function. A person with a substance use disorder often must take larger amounts of the substance in order to achieve the desired effect and makes unsuccessful attempts at decreasing their use. They spend long periods of time trying to obtain the substance and recover from its effects. These individuals often experience intense cravings, which make it difficult to quit, and if they try to avoid the substance, they may experience physical and/or psychological withdrawal effects. Substance abuse can lead to serious legal consequences, as the addiction leads to impairments in judgment and decision-making. The person may act recklessly or impulsively and use substances despite being aware of the serious consequences that can result.