Understanding Substance Use Disorder and It's Treatment

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 20 million Americans over the age of 18 suffer from substance misuse, which is an epidemic in America. Many members in this group struggle with both drug addiction and mental health issues because drug addition and mental health are likely related in one of the following ways: 

People use drugs to cope with mental health issues 

Drug use (yes, even just once and even marijuana) can cause mental illness.  

The damage that substance misuse causes to the brain is likely the most serious, ranging from severe nerve damage to dangerous chemical imbalances that have negative effects.

The following article will center on substance misuse and disorders related to it, as well as the types and risk factors connected to these disorders.

What is Substance Abuse?

Alcohol, cocaine, and prescription medications are just a few examples of the substances that people who abuse substance consume or use in excessive amounts. A serious problem is how common this illness is among our adolescent population.

Failure to address substance misuse in a timely manner might result in life-threatening addiction and dependency problems.

The drugs that are misused most frequently are: 

• Marijuana 
• Alcohol 
• Nicotine
• Benzodiazepines (Valium, Ativan, Xanax)
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine
• Heroin
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP)
• Opioids  

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, marijuana is the drug that is most frequently abused by adults over the age of 12.

The substances mentioned are so frequently abused because they each contain chemical compounds that are addicting. While some chemicals can be useful and harmless when taken sparingly and in small doses, the majority of substances are exceedingly hazardous when misused.

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Mental illness, traumatic experiences, as well as environmental and social variables, are other reasons for substance misuse.

Warning Signs of Drug Abuse 

Drug and abuse or misuse is the excessive or inappropriate use of a substance.  However it can be difficult to define due to the same substance affecting people different ways, people’s opinions, values, and beliefs also vary significantly on the topic. For some, any use of an illegal drug or even the use of alcohol with the primary purpose of intoxication constitutes abuse. For others, abuse is indicated by recurring, negative consequences, such as:

Causes and Risk Factors for Substance Abuse

There are many reasons that might lead to the onset of substance misuse. Additionally, there are typically a number of elements at play.

Signs of possible substance misuse include those who have ongoing difficulty at work or school, aggressive mood swings and behavioral changes, general physical and mental health issues, problems with money, and careless behavior in daily life.

The signs and symptoms of substance misuse can be fairly varied because it involves a wide variety of medicines and toxins.

When keeping an eye on people who are most at risk, there are some common risk factors that are strongly linked to substance addiction problems.

Some of the most typical causes and risk factors for substance abuse disorders include the following:

• Family History of Substance Abuse
• Intrauterine exposure to substances
• Tobacco Smoking
• Personal History of Mental Health Problems 
• Peer Pressure
• Family Dysfunctional Environment 
• Parental Disinterest
• Moving To A New Location
• Attending College
• Availability of Substances

Getting Help for Drug Abuse

In addition to the substance used, the degree of the disorder affects how substance abuse disorders are treated. Age, health, medical history, and symptomatology will all be taken into account while deciding on the best course of action. The ability of the patient to actively engage in treatment is also essential for its success.

How Therapy Can Help Substance Abuse 

There are therapists who specialize in addiction recovery that can often help people who are addicted set achievable and empowering short-term goals. This will help them as they work to overcome their addiction. After they become sober, adaptive skills can be developed as the person works to regain physical and emotional health, and the therapist can begin to explore the cause of the addiction with the person in treatment as the person begins to use the new coping strategies. They can work together to set long-term goals that may include rebuilding damaged relationships, accepting responsibility for actions, and releasing guilt.

Using therapy, a person who has become dependent on drugs or alcohol is often more likely to overcome the addiction, and several types of therapy are helpful. Some of those therapies including cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing therapy—a person-centered therapy that relies on the person's inspiration to change—have demonstrated effectiveness in this area. Therapy can provide a supplemental form of support for someone who is attending a self-help group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Some therapies are specifically geared toward helping with 12-step programs. Rehab, or inpatient treatment, is also an option for some of those who have a hard time getting sober as an outpatient.

Some people fear seeking help for drug addiction due to concerns of legal consequences or when the person who is addicted is a parent, the involvement of Child Protective Services. Not to worry because privacy and confidentiality in substance abuse treatment is mandated not only by professional ethical guidelines and, usually, state law (like all health treatments) but also by special federal laws.

Extended outpatient individual and group therapy will always be necessary for treatment in most situations of substance abuse. In some circumstances, inpatient medical care at a rehab center will also be necessary.

Some examples of specific drugs that can be used to treat various forms of substance abuse include those that are listed below. 

Alcohol withdrawal can be treated with medication like Ativan and Librium. If someone has an opioid withdrawal, medication such as methadone, buprenorphine, or clonidine can be used to help avoid withdrawal. Any substance misuse condition requiring the use of these medications should be treated with the help of a mental health specialist.

Most treatment centers that focus on substance misuse are spread across the nation to treat serious diseases and addictions.

The long-term objectives of drug addiction treatment are to recover from addiction, learn future management techniques, and deal with any lingering issues related to substance misuse.

Final thoughts

The effects of substance abuse and substance use disorders can be severe and crippling, and they are widespread. Patients with this illness who do not receive proper care or assistance are likely to experience worsening symptoms as their consumption levels rise over time.

However, proactive assistance and early intervention can be beneficial. The severity of withdrawal symptoms that might result from long-term addiction can be lessened with early treatment. The best results will come from rigorous outpatient therapy with mental health specialists and supportive family members.

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