Substance use disorder (or drug addiction) is a psychiatric disorder in people. In this condition, people uncontrollably use a substance (legal or illegal drugs or medications) despite harmful consequences. The excessive use of the substance by a person disrupts their normal functioning at school, home or work. These addiction-causing substances include recreational drugs or illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol and even some prescription drugs.
Initially, a person may start using a particular substance for fun, such as experiencing something for the first time or for managing symptoms, such as pain (as seen in opioid abuse). As time passes, the usage of the substance may increase so much that they get addicted to it.
Not everyone who indulges in activities such as drinking or smoking ends up developing substance use disorder. The exact cause of substance use disorder remains unknown. However, studies show that people who have peers and family members with attitudes or behaviors that encourage the use of substances and who inherit related genes from their parents are more likely to develop the condition.
Many who develop a substance use disorder are seen to be already suffering from depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or another psychiatric problem.
A stressful lifestyle and low self-esteem may also give rise to an addiction.
How do you recognize someone with substance use disorder?
If someone close to you is going through substance use disorder, you may be able to notice one or more of the signs and symptoms, including
- Having a strong urge to use the substance several times a day
- Ensuring that there is an adequate supply of the substance
- Getting restless if they do not find the substance when the urge arises
- Needing more of the drug to produce the same effect
- Suffering withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing the substance
- Displaying a readiness to do anything (even criminal activities) to get the drug in case there is no money to buy it
- Indulging in risky behaviors under the influence of the substance
- Engaging in secretive behavior to hide drug use
- Feeling helpless in several attempts to quit the substance use
- Displaying episodes of violence
- Continuing to use the substance even when they know it is affecting their daily life and responsibilities
- Neglecting how they look
- Avoiding social gatherings and other recreational activities due to substance use
- Lacking energy or motivation
- Displaying confusion
- Losing weight or having an emaciated look
Other than these symptoms, you may also notice some other signs in the person depending on the substance. For example, marijuana and hashish may cause red eyes, slowed reaction and paranoid thinking.
Which substances can lead to substance use disorder?
Most people diagnosed with substance use disorder are seen to be addicted to one or more of the following substances:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Stimulants
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- Cocaine
- Opioids include illegal substances, such as heroin and prescriptions drugs, including
- Codeine
- Morphine
- Hydrocodone
- Oxycodone
- Cannabis (commonly referred to as marijuana)
- Hallucinogens are substances that cause hallucinations, which are distorted perceptions of reality.
- MDMA (also called Ecstasy)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
The risk and the speed of addiction depend on the drug. Some drugs, such as opioids, pose a greater risk and potential to cause addiction faster than others.
QUESTION
What are opioids used to treat? See AnswerHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Top What Is Substance Use Disorder Related Articles
Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse
Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law. It can cause myriad health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, birth defects, heart disease, stroke, psychological problems, and dementia. Counseling and a few medications can be effective for alcoholism treatment.
Bath Salts
Ingredients of the drug bath salts include mephedrone, methylone, MDPV, or MDPK. Feeling high and sexually stimulated are symptoms of bath salt abuse. The primary goals for the treatment of addiction symptoms are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.
Can You Become Schizophrenic From Drugs?
Schizophrenia is a severe long-term mental condition that interferes with a person's ability to distinguish their thoughts from reality. Drug use may lead to the development of schizophrenia.
Cocaine and Crack Addiction
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that is smoked, snorted, and injected. Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that is heated to form vapors, which are then smoked. Cocaine has various effects on the body, including dilating pupils, constricting blood vessels, increasing body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
What Is the Difference Between Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence?
Substance abuse is the use of drugs or alcohol to the point where it causes problems in your life. Substance dependence (addiction) is when you are unable to quit using drugs or alcohol.
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
Hookahs vs. Cigarette Smoking (Addiction and Health Dangers)
A hookah is a water pipe that's used to smoke flavored tobacco like watermelon, licorice, coconut, chocolate, cherry, mint, apple, and cappuccino. The use of this type of tobacco smoking began in ancient India and Persia centuries ago. You can find hookah cafes all over the world, for example, the U.S., France, Russia, Britain, and the Middle East. New forms of electronic hookah are now available. Some people who smoke tobacco think that hookahs are less dangerous to their health because the smoke is filtered through water, but the smoke from hookahs contain the same cancer-causing chemicals that cigarette smoke does. Smoking tobacco via cigarettes or hookah are both dangerous to your health.
Mental Health: Celebrities Who Are Open About Addiction
Addiction affects people from all walks of life. See celebrities who’ve battled drug and alcohol use disorders and shared their stories.
Marijuana Addiction and Abuse
Cannabis use disorder is when you're addicted to marijuana. Learn more about this condition and how to treat it.
Mental Health: Substance Abuse in Older Adults
Abuse of alcohol and drugs among older people has been called the invisible epidemic. Learn what to look out for to protect yourself or a loved one.
methadone hydrochloride
Methadone hydrochloride is a synthetic opioid analgesic medication used for opioid detoxification and management of severe pain that does not respond to alternate treatment and requires long-term opioid treatment. Methadone is also used to treat chronic and severe cancer pain or pain from nerve damage (neuropathy). The most common side effects of methadone hydrochloride include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and injection site reactions. Methadone hydrochloride has a high potential for addiction, abuse, and misuse and can lead to overdose.naltrexone
Naltrexone is a medication used to treat opioid use and alcohol use disorders in adults, as part of a comprehensive management program. Naltrexone may cause depression and suicidal thoughts. Common side effects of naltrexone include injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, changes in appetite, loss of appetite (anorexia), headache, dizziness, fainting (syncope), insomnia, drowsiness (somnolence), and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.nicotine lozenge
Nicotine lozenges are used as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help give up smoking tobacco. Common side effects of nicotine lozenge include palpitations, irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dizziness, increase in blood pressure, oral irritation, increased salivation, sore throat, hiccups, heartburn, indigestion (dyspepsia), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), sleep disturbance, abnormal dreams, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
How to Quit Smoking: 13 Tips to End Addiction
Quitting smoking is a great way to improve your health. Learn tips and techniques to quit smoking and kick the cigarette habit for good. Learn about smoking cessation products, benefits, medications and other tools.