When you treat somebody or something (e.g. a person or substance) in a harmful manner you are abusing that person or thing. Abuse is a tool in a person’s hand with which he controls another person or a thing using fear, intimidation or violence. If you mistreat others in such a way that they feel degraded, you are indulging in abuse.

 If you are excessively consuming a substance you are again abusing that thing. Abuse has become so common that you can experience it everyday and at every place. It affects our daily life so much that it has now gained the status of a serious social and cultural problem. The abuse endangers the mental health of the abused.

 Various kinds of abuse and how do you abuse

 There are various kinds of abuse, e.g. sexual abuse, emotional abuse, abuse related to drugs and alcohol, physical abuse, child abuse, substance (alcohol, drugs) abuse etc. If you are emotionally abusing someone you may abuse that person through words, facial expressions, gestures etc.

 Sexual abuse includes whistling, demeaning comments, touching, or forceful sex. Somebody can be physically abused by slapping, hitting, kicking, spitting etc. You are abusing a child if you indulge in any activity that frightens or humiliates her.

 If you excessively use alcohol or drugs (both legal and illegal) and feel heavily dependent on them, then you are indulging not only in your physical but also in your mental health abuse.

Domestic abuse can be in form of violence or forceful sex with your spouse, incest etc.

 How to overcome the sexual/domestic/physical abuse

 The abuse victims face many psychological and physical problems. Remember a great part of abuse (in any form) can be avoided. In case you are the victim of sexual, domestic, physical, child abuse etc. you are not the only one who has fallen prey to this. There are millions of people around the world who are also the sufferers.

 You can take consolation from the fact that now the help is available for those who are the abused.  If you are the victim of substance (drug, alcohol) abuse, help is available in the form of counseling, psychotherapy or medications. Many social and governmental organizations, websites, and mental health experts are available to provide you the guidance.

 The following steps can help you: 

• Know what abuse is: It is important because if you or someone you know is going to be an abuse victim, you become alert and take corrective actions.
• Be assertive: Do not remain passive in your relationships with others. Tell others about what you like and what you don’t.
• Teach your children: You should tell your children about the abuse and various ways and means to avoid it. Teach them about appropriate and inappropriate touches. Tell your children about various parts of their body and their names. Encourage your children to share with you if somebody threatens them or indulges in any inappropriate behavior.

 How to overcome the substance and alcohol abuse

 If you have been a drug and alcohol abuser and think there is no way out, you are wrong. There are many people who have overcome this serious life issue of mental health and have emerged victorious. Today the help is available in various forms: medications, psychotherapy, medical aids, self-help groups etc.

 Apart from the medications and medical assistance for victims of substance and alcohol abuse, psychotherapy too plays an important role in their recovery. Psychotherapy provides you a forum where you can share and discuss your experiences in such a way that it restores your self-worth and dignity. It teaches you the ways and means to cope and manage your problems related with abuse.

 Never be afraid to ask for help or assistance from others. Apart from this you need to dissociate from the past. Build your self-esteem. Remember it is only you who holds the power. It is only you who can control yourself. Self-help can help you regain the bright future and secure your physical and mental health.

Find out ways to overcome abuse is a post from: Mental Health