substance abuse is the inappropriate use of illicit drugs or prescription medications. More than a million men seek treatment for substance abuse each year, a figure health experts believe vastly under represents the full extent of substance abuse on health and quality of life. Most men who seek treatment have addictions to illicit drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and “club drugs” such as ecstasy, amphetamine, and methamphetamine, as well as legal substances such as prescription medications and alcohol.
Numerous health consequences accompany substance abuse, from the direct effects of the drugs on the nervous and cardiovascular systems to infectious diseases such as hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, which are especially significant risks with injectable drugs. Substance abuse may also expose men to other high risk behaviors such as unprotected sex and reckless activities.