A headache attributed to a substance use / overuse is usually diagnosed only when the headache resolves or dramatically reduces in pain after the user no longer exposes themselves to the substance. Migraine sufferers (migraineurs) are known to be extra sensitive to ingested substances such as alcohol, chemicals medication and foods; adverse drug reactions are not uncommon and this is fairly well documented. It should be noted however, that the exposure to a substance and an ensuing headache are often merely coincidental. Also, some disorders may be predisposed to a headache from specific substance ingestion, wherein neither the disorder nor the substance would alone produce a headache.

Carbon Monoxide Induced Headache
This headache has also been known as the "workers warehouse headache". Exposure to carbon monoxide is extremely dangerous and life threating; severity of headaches from carbon monoxide typically increase with the amount of exposure to this dangerous gas. Headache usually develops within 12 hours of exposure, and will resolve itself within 3 days after the sufferer is no longer exposed. At its most severe, nausea and blurred vision will be apparent alongside the extremely painful headache. Beyond this degree of severity, lack of coherency and perhaps sleepiness will signal failing consciousness.

Delayed Alcohol-induced Headache
This headache has also been known as the "hangover headache" and is probably the most common headache known today. This headache is typically bilateral (both sides of head), pulsating and is aggravated by physical exercise. The headache will develop when blood alcohol level declines or is reduced to zero, and is gone within 3 days. For migraine sufferers, it is common for a delayed alcohol-induced headache to be triggered by a very modest amount of alcohol, compared with a non-migraineur who will get the headache only after an intoxicating amount of alcohol.

Headache induced by Food Components and Additives
Some food ingrediets such as aspartame have been claimed to induce headaches, but nothing has been proven or sufficiently validate to show as much. The commonest food induced headache is from monosodium glutamate (MSG), and typically develops within 1 hours of MSG ingestion. The MSG induced headache is usually dull or burning but may be pulsating in migraine sufferers. It is also linked with pressure in the chest and or face, burning sensations in the chest, neck and/or shoulders, flushing redness in the face and stomach ache.