What to Know About Substance Use Disorder and Treatment
Substance use disorder (SUD) can be difficult to live with, whether you yourself have it or one of your loved ones does. Its impact can be devastating. Substances falling under this umbrella include:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Opioid painkillers like codeine, oxycodone, and heroin
- Cocaine, methamphetamine, and other stimulants
- Sedatives, hypnotics, and tranquilizers
- PCP, LSD, and other hallucinogens
- Tobacco
- Inhalants such as paint thinners and glue
When someone becomes addicted, they continue to use these drugs despite knowing that they have dangerous — even deadly — effects. Substance use disorder can start with recreational use in social settings. For some people, usage of illicit substances never goes beyond that point. But for others, drug use becomes more frequent and compulsive. In some cases, people become addicted to prescription medications, like opioids, that they received legally from their doctors.
Regardless of how substance use begins, there is help for those with SUDs. Following diagnosis or a staged intervention, you can receive treatment. Here is what you need to know about substance use disorders as you seek treatment options for yourself or your loved one.
Substance Use Disorder Symptoms
Substance use disorder symptoms are complex. There are physical, behavioral, and psychological signs of substance use disorder. The physical signs of SUD can include:
- Unusual odors on the breath, clothing, or body
- Changes in sleep patterns or appetite
- Changes in pupil size; bloodshot eyes
- Sudden weight loss or gain
- Looking increasingly unkempt or unwell
- Sniffling or runny nose
- Slurred speech, tremors, or loss of coordination
Behavioral symptoms can include:
- Difficulties arising in personal relationships due to usage
- Behaviors become suspicious or secretive
- Abrupt change in hobbies, friends, or hangouts
- Getting into frequent legal trouble
- Loss of control over substance use
- Using drugs in dangerous conditions
- Using drugs in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms
- Life revolves around substance use
- No longer engaging in previously enjoyed activities
The psychological warning signs might include:
- Inexplicable personality changes
- Irrational fear or anxiety
- Sudden changes in mood or angry outbursts
- Decreased motivation or seeming spaced out
- Periodic bursts of energy, instability, or nervousness
Recognizing the Signs in Your Family and Friends
The entire family or group of friends feels the impact of an individual’s substance use disorder. Since the family is the main source of socialization and nurturing, every member of it is affected by one person’s substance use. Recognizing the symptoms in a family member or friend can be tough, but social workers and counselors can help address these issues within the family.
You might notice that your loved one is experiencing serious financial issues or having problems focusing at work or school. Also, they might seem to experience physical health issues, have drastic changes in behavior, or stop taking care of their appearance.
When to Seek Help
The sooner you seek help for yourself or your loved one, the more likely you are to experience long-term success in recovery. You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you cannot stop using a substance, are having withdrawal symptoms, or continue to use it despite knowing the substance’s harmful effects.
Substance use can, of course, result in emergency situations. If you notice that someone is unresponsive, struggling to breathe, experiencing chest pressure or pain, or experiencing seizures or convulsions, you need to immediately call emergency services for help.
Guide to Withdrawal
Withdrawal from substance use can be painful, even deadly. Medically supervised withdrawal helps clients in rehab take the challenging first step toward recovery. Symptoms of withdrawal can vary based on the substance used, and withdrawal symptom onset can occur within a day of the last use and last for over a week.
Those who are in rehab receive 24-hour monitoring, getting checked at least three to four times a day for any signs of complications. Medically assisted treatment is available, with prescription drugs like methadone or clonidine for those withdrawing from opioids.
Protracted withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) lasting for months can result from certain substances, including opioids. Some people withdrawing from stimulants may experience PAWS around four to six weeks after the start of their acute withdrawal phase. Stimulant withdrawal can linger for about two months. Whatever substance a client is withdrawing from, follow-up care is important to prevent a relapse.
Causes of Substance Use Disorder
There are various factors that contribute to the development of substance use disorders. Environmental stressors, genetic predisposition, personality characteristics specific to an individual, social pressure, and psychiatric issues can all be contributing factors in substance use disorders. However, each person is unique, so causes can be highly specific.
Neurological Changes
Neurological changes are known to occur with substance use. Repeated substance use changes the way your brain experiences pleasure. Your brain’s neurotransmitters, which act as chemical messengers, do not communicate as they’re supposed to with the rest of your body. These changes can persist even after you have stopped your substance use.
Who Could Be at Risk
A person of any age, gender, or economic status can become addicted. There are some common risk factors for developing a substance use disorder:
- A family history of addiction, such as a close blood relative like a parent or sibling with an SUD
- A mental health disorder, such as anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Peer pressure among young people
- Difficult family situations or lacking a positive bond with parents or siblings
- Early drug use, which can cause more permanent changes in a brain that is still developing
- Taking a highly addictive drug, like a stimulant, cocaine, or an opioid painkiller, that can quickly cause an SUD
- Smoking or injecting drugs
Complications From Substance Use Disorder
Substance use has short- and long-term effects that can change a person’s life. Combining certain drugs or taking them at high dosages can be especially dangerous. Cocaine, opiates, and methamphetamine are extremely addictive and have a lot of chronic, long-term effects. Those effects include seizures, psychotic behavior, and death by overdose. Mixing alcohol with opioids can be especially lethal.
Inhalants are dangerous since they can cause brain damage. People misusing inhalants can have overdoses that cause seizures or stop the heart.
MDMA, which is commonly referred to as ecstasy or Molly, interferes with the body’s ability to regulate temperature. This can cause kidney, heart, or lung failure and lead to death. Seizures and serious dehydration can occur as well. Long-term effects include brain damage.
Other life-altering challenges can occur as a result of substance use. Someone who has a SUD might engage in dangerous sexual behavior that leads to an infectious disease. Health problems can arise, and people can become more accident-prone due to their engaging in risky behavior. Work problems, family issues, struggling at school, loss of friendships, financial difficulties, and legal battles can all result from substance use.
Prevention Methods
The best way to prevent a substance use disorder is to not use these substances at all. That, however, can be easier said than done. If your doctor prescribes you a drug that is potentially addictive, voice your concerns about taking it, and see if there are any safer alternatives.
For youth, school involvement is critical in prevention. Equipping young people with knowledge can keep them from wanting to try dangerous substances and help them resist peer pressure.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Treatment is available for substance use disorders. You can even use the federal government’s Find Treatment tool to locate the help you need. If you or your loved one is struggling with substance use disorder, reach out to a rehabilitation center for help. There are rehab centers in every state throughout the country, and they are equipped to assist. You can start by calling SAMHSA’s National Helpline, which is open 365 days a year and operates 24/7.
Substance use disorder treatment typically lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 days. The advantage to a longer stay is that you have more time to recover and prepare for your re-entrance into society. You will also be thoroughly equipped with resources and tools for handling difficult situations while out in the “real world,” potentially encountering your old triggers for usage.
Rehab doesn’t have to be strictly done in the rehab center full-time. Inpatient treatment does give you 24-hour supervision, but there are outpatient centers that offer daytime rehabilitation, which allows you to go home after the program ends each day. There are also outpatient therapy options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, yoga, and other therapeutic tools can also be effective at treating substance use disorders.
Aftercare Support and Relapse Prevention
Sober living houses are available after rehab ends. These offer opportunities to find work and have social outings with housemates. You can also remain in counseling through outpatient services.
Building a sober social network and relying on family and friends can also be important during this time. Explore ways to mend any fences you feel were broken before you received treatment for the substance use disorder. Look for ways to add to your sober lifestyle with fun, healthy activities and hobbies.
There are challenges to re-entry after rehab ends. There are many things out there in society that can trigger a potential relapse. It is important that those in treatment know how to recognize, cope, and avoid those triggers.
Joining a support group can be helpful, too. There are support groups for every type of substance use disorder, from alcohol addiction to opioid addiction. You can join them anonymously and attend meetings as you feel comfortable.
Substance use disorder can be fatal. Do not delay getting help for yourself or your loved one. Reach out and let someone know that you need help straight away. The sooner you do it, the better the chance you have of beating your substance use disorder. There is no shame in admitting you have a problem and that you need help for it. Many others have done the same thing before you, and you, like many of them, can lead a successfully sober life after getting treatment for your substance use disorder.
