Substance Use Disorder

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.

**Substance Use Disorder (SUD)**, also called **Drug Addiction**, is an addictive disorder that affects an individual's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a drug or medication. When one is addicted, they may continue using the drug despite the harm is causes.

Drug addiction can start with experimental use of recreational drugs in social situations and, for some, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications.

## Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling that one has to use the drug regularly.
* Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts.
* Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect.
* Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than intended.
* Making certain that one maintains a supply of the drug.
* Spending money for the drug, even if it's unaffordable.
* Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social and/or recreational activities because of the drug.
* Continuing the use the drug, even though one knows it's causing problems in their life and/or causing them physical and/or psychological harm.
* Doing things to get the drug that the individual wouldn't normally do.
* Driving or doing other risky activities while under the influence of the drug.
* Failing in the attempt to stop using the drug.
* Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop taking the drug.

Commonly used substances include:

* Opiates and other narcotics.
* Stimulants.
* Depressants such as alcohol, chloral hydrate, and paraidehyde.
* Marijuana.

## Causes

Like many mental health disorder, several factors may contribute to the development of a SUD.

* Environmental factors, including family beliefs/attitudes and exposure to a peer group that encourages drug use.
* Development into addiction may be influenced by inherited traits, which may delay or speed up the disorder progression.

## Treatment and Recovery

Treatment for SUD and any co-occurring disorders may include rehabilitation, medications, support groups, and talk therapy.

## Subsets of SUD

### 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.

## References

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

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001522.htm

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders

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/