Addictive Disorders

DisclaimerThis page is not here to be used as a self-diagnosis, self-identification, or promotion - it's simply here to be informational. Whether or not one self-diagnoses, self-identifies, and/or seeks a professional diagnosis is up to them.AddictionThe following page includes discussions of addiction, including substance abuse. If you are uncomfortable or get triggered by this topic, it is recommended to not read this page.

**Addictive Disorders** are conditions in which one grows dependent on addictive substances. Often this is due to family history of addiction and/or in order to deal with other forms of neurodivergence, trauma and/or disabilities, although it can be caused by a number of examples. Addiction can become life-threatening and can be difficult to quit and recover.

## Types of Addictive Disorders

### Gambling Disorder/Problem Gambling/Compulsive Gambling

Gambling Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively gambles, often to the point of losing an excessive amount of money and/or personal belongings. This can develop from other forms of neurodivergence, stress, negative thoughts, social influence, or similar factors.

### Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD)/Gaming Disorder

IGD is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively plays video games and/or online games to an extent that is becomes impairing to ones mental health. This disorder is commonly paired with (an) anxiety disorder(s).

### Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

SUD is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively consumes chemicals. Common symptoms are irritability, sleepiness, and/or difficulty sleeping, restlessness, depression, anxiety, mood swings, trouble eating, headaches, and similar. There are many subsets of SUD, which are:

#### Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively consumes alcohol.

#### Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively consumes cannabis.

#### Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

HPPD is when one experiences intense flashbacks of previous times being high/intoxicated. These could occur months or years after using the hallucinogen, and it can feel as though the flashback is merging with current events.

#### Phencyclidine Use Disorder

Phencyclidine Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses phencyclidine.

#### Inhalant Use Disorder

Inhalant Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses inhalants.

#### Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses opioids.

#### Other Hallucinogen Use Disorder

Other Hallucinogen Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses other hallucinogens besides phencyclidine.

#### Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder (SHA Use Disorder)

SHA Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses sedatives, hypnotics, and/or anxiolytics.

#### Stimulant Use Disorder

Stimulant Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses stimulants.

#### Tobacco Use Disorder

Tobacco Use Disorder is an addictive disorder in which one compulsively uses tobacco.

#### Other (or Unknown) Substance Use Disorder

Other (or Unknown) Substance Use Disorder is when one does not fit any specific substance use disorder subsets when they hold symptoms of a substance use disorder and can still be identified as such.

## Substance Withdrawal

Substance Withdrawal is another form of addictive disorders related to stopping an addictive substance, usually from sudden stopping; however, it can be a slow stop as well. The typical symptoms include irritability, trouble sleeping, exhaustion, mood swings, hallucinations and/or delusions, anxiety and/or depression, headaches, physical strain/issues, fever-like symptoms, and similar.

## Help and Recovery

Affected individuals are often unable to break away from this dependence on their own, even if they are aware of the harm the addiction is causing, and professional help is highly recommended and often required to recover.

## References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178

https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/addictive-behaviours-gaming-disorder

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-addiction/symptoms-causes/syc-20365112

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alcohol-use-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20369243

https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/cannabis/1-use-disorder

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3736944/

https://www.verywellmind.com/phencyclidine-use-disorder-diagnosis-of-pcp-addiction-4140630

https://www.verywellmind.com/inhalant-use-disorder-21872

https://www.verywellmind.com/opioid-use-disorder-22046

https://www.verywellmind.com/other-hallucinogen-use-disorder-21885

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/sedative-hypnotic-and-anxiolytic-related-disorders

https://www.verywellmind.com/stimulant-use-disorder-speed-meth-or-cocaine-addiction-21987

https://thriveworks.com/blog/tobacco-use-disorder/

https://www.addiction-intervention.com/addiction/drug-addiction/understanding-other-or-unknown-substance-related-disorders/

https://adf.org.au/reducing-risk/withdrawal/