Author: Charles Frank

Substance use disorder: Signs, causes, and treatment

Substance use/misuse is highest among people aged 18 to 25. Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis). They’re often used and misused in search of a “high,” or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite. Synthetic cannabinoids, also called K2 or Spice, are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than “natural” or harmless products. These drugs can produce a “high” similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.

The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known. In the United States, about 17 million people had both an SUD and a mental health disorder in 2020. It is not always easy to recognize the signs of drug use. Some people with SUD engage in secretive behavior to hide their drug use. In detoxification, you stop taking the substance(s), allowing them to leave your body. Depending on the severity of the SUD, the substance or an alternative may be tapered off to lessen the effects of withdrawal.

They will have to conduct a thorough psychological examination and work with your primary care provider to learn more about your substance use symptoms before offering a diagnosis. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) – Specific conditions like opioid use disorder may require medication as the first course of treatment. If you’re not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed on the internet or in the phone book.

How does substance use disorder develop?

Seeking medical care as soon as you have signs of substance use disorder is essential. About 20% of people in the U.S. who have depression or an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder. It involves continued substance use despite negative consequences. Addiction to substances happens when the reward system in your brain “takes over” and amplifies compulsive substance-seeking.

As people with SUD often have co-occurring mental health conditions, treating them together rather than separately is generally better. ACEs are strongly related to the development of a wide range of health problems throughout a person’s lifespan, including SUD. The more ACEs a child experiences, the more at risk they are for developing SUD at some point in their life. SUDs and other mental health conditions are caused by overlapping factors such as genetic vulnerabilities, issues with similar areas of your brain and environmental influences. With physical dependence, your body has adapted to the presence of the substance, and withdrawal symptoms happen if you suddenly stop taking the drug or you take a reduced dosage.

SUD is a treatable, chronic disease that can affect people of any race, gender, income level, or social class. Some people may use drugs to help cope with stress and trauma or to help with mental health issues. Some may develop a SUD after misusing opioids that are prescribed to them by doctors. In any case, using drugs over time may cause changes in a person’s brain, leading to intense cravings and continued use. The exact reason why someone might fall into substance use isn’t entirely clear.

Substance use disorder

Be sure to complete the scale honestly to allow your therapist to appropriately judge which treatment methods are working and which are not. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. However, it is important to note that not everyone who uses these substances may have an SUD. Healthcare professionals diagnose SUDs using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR). Participating in self-help programs, like Narcotics Anonymous, can also play a significant role in SUD treatment.

A trained provider can help guide you to the treatment you need. Therefore, early exposure to substances may change the brain in ways that increase the risk for psychological disorders. Early symptoms of a mental disorder may point to an increased risk for drug use later. By now, it’s probably safe to say that it’s common knowledge that drugs have a profound effect on the brain, even to the point of mimicking mental illness. However, it might come as a surprise to learn that this profound effect can last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years from the last use. If you are concerned about a loved one’s erratic behavior, you might be wondering, Is it addiction or mental illness?

1. If you are concerned about your own substance use or the substance use of a loved one, it’s good practice to see a healthcare provider for a substance use disorder evaluation and screening.
2. Both involve the development of physical dependence and psychological dependence.
3. Instead, healthcare providers rely on a thorough evaluation of your medical history and behaviors surrounding substance use.
4. Substance use disorder affects people of all ages, races, genders and socioeconomic levels.
5. For an adult, a divorce, loss of a job or death of a loved one may increase the risk of substance use.

Group therapy supports people with SUD in maintaining self-control and restraint. Healthcare providers may recommend cognitive and behavioral therapies alone or in combination with medications. When you spend time with a loved one or eat a delicious meal, your body releases a chemical called dopamine, which makes you feel pleasure. It becomes a cycle; you seek out these experiences because they reward you with good feelings.

Preventing drug misuse in children and teenagers

Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Additional calls will also be forwarded and returned by a quality treatment center within the USA. If someone has symptoms of an SUD, they can talk with their healthcare professional.

Experts estimate that at least 60% of people that are battling one of these conditions are actually battling both, substance abuse and mental illness. If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery.

The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.

Your primary care provider can conduct drug tests via samples of your blood and urine to detect substances. Overcoming an SUD is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs. Like many other chronic conditions, treatment is available for substance use disorders. While no single treatment method is right for everyone, recovery is possible, and help is available for patients with SUDs.

Talk with your health care provider or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Those who seek help for either drug abuse and/or addiction or another mental disorder should be evaluated for both and then treated accordingly. SUD is a health condition that leads to a strong desire to use a substance even though it may have adverse effects on a person’s life.