Examples of opiate abuse include taking the medication more frequently or in larger amounts than prescribed. Continued patterns of opiate abuse can lead to a spiralling addiction, which is difficult to overcome without the help of medical professionals.

If a person’s dependency upon alcohol is too severe, it may be physically dangerous if they were to suddenly stop drinking, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, confusion, increased heart rate, hallucinations and anxiety. Alcohol withdrawal that is not medically supervised can be dangerous.