What is the term meaning Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder occurs when a person’s repeated use of drugs or alcohol interferes with his or her ability to be productive. This disorder can cause problems with mental and physical health.

It can affect your ability to have healthy relationships, and it can keep you from being able to meet your responsibilities at work, home, or school. It can also lead to addiction, which is a condition in which the person cannot stop using the substance consistently for a period of time.

The most commonly abused substances include:

• Alcohol.
• Tobacco.
• Marijuana.
• Stimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
• Hallucinogens, such as LSD and PCP.
• Opioids, such as some prescription pain medicines and heroin.

What are the causes?

This condition may develop due to many complex social, psychological, or physical reasons, such as:

• Stress.
• Abuse.
• Peer pressure.
• Anxiety or depression.

What increases the risk?

This condition is more likely to develop in people who:

• Use substances to cope with stress.
• Have been abused.
• Have a mental health disorder, such as depression.
• Have a family history of substance use disorder.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Using the substance for longer periods of time or at a higher dosage than what is normal or intended.
• Having a lasting desire to use the substance.
• Being unable to slow down or stop your use of the substance.
• Spending an abnormal amount of time getting the substance, using the substance, or recovering from using the substance.
• Craving the substance.
• Using the substance in a way that interferes with work, school, social activities, and personal relationships.
• Using the substance even after having negative consequences, such as:
  • Health problems.
  • Legal or financial troubles.
  • Job loss.
  • Broken relationships.
• Needing more and more of the substance to get the same effect (developing tolerance).
• Experiencing unpleasant symptoms if you do not use the substance (withdrawal).
• Using the substance to avoid withdrawal.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• A physical exam.
• Your history of substance use.
• Your symptoms. This includes:
  • How substance use affects your life.
  • Changes in personality, behaviors, and mood.
  • Having at least two symptoms of substance use disorder within a 12-month period.
  • Health issues related to substance use, such as liver damage, shortness of breath, fatigue, cough, or heart problems.
• Blood or urine tests to screen for alcohol and drugs.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by:

• Stopping substance use safely. This may require taking medicines and being closely observed for several days.
• Taking part in group and individual counseling from mental health providers who help people with substance use disorder.
• Staying at a live-in (residential) treatment center for several days or weeks.
• Attending daily counseling sessions at a treatment center.
• Taking medicine as told by your health care provider:
  • To ease symptoms and prevent complications during withdrawal.
  • To treat other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety.
  • To block cravings by causing the same effects as the substance.
  • To block the effects of the substance or replace good sensations with unpleasant ones.
• Going to a support group to share your experience with others who are going through the same thing.

Recovery can be a long process. Many people who undergo treatment start using the substance again after stopping (relapse). If you relapse, that does not mean that treatment will not work.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any drugs or alcohol.
• Attend support groups as needed. These groups, including 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are an important part of long-term recovery for many people.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care providers. This is important. This includes continuing to work with therapists and support groups.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You cannot take your medicines as told.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have trouble resisting the urge to use drugs or alcohol.

Get help right away if you:

• Relapse.
• Think that you may have taken too much of a drug. The hotline of the National Poison Control Center is (800) 222-1222.
• Have signs of an overdose. Symptoms include:
  • Chest pain.
  • Confusion.
  • Sleepiness or difficulty staying awake.
  • Slowed breathing.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • A seizure.
• Have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else.

Drug overdose is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

If you ever feel like you may hurt yourself or others, or have thoughts about taking your own life, get help right away. You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Substance use disorder occurs when a person’s repeated use of drugs or alcohol interferes with his or her ability to be productive. It can affect your ability to have healthy relationships, keep you from being able to meet your responsibilities at work, home, or school, and lead to addiction.
• Taking part in group and individual counseling from mental health providers is one possible treatment for people with substance use disorder.
• Recovery can be a long process. Many people who undergo treatment start using the substance again after stopping (relapse). A relapse does not mean that treatment will not work.
• Attend support groups as needed, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. These groups are an important part of long-term recovery for many people.