What Is Substance Use Disorder?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Substance use disorders occur

when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically significant impairment

, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.

What is the difference between substance abuse and substance use disorder?

The

APA ditched both “substance abuse” and “substance dependence”

in favor of “substance use disorder.” Substance use disorder is now the medical term for addiction. Previously, abuse was a mild form of addiction, and dependence was a moderate or severe form of addiction.

What are examples of substance use disorders?

  • Opioid Use Disorder.
  • Marijuana Use Disorder.
  • Nicotine Use Disorder.
  • Stimulant Use Disorder.
  • Sedative Use Disorder.
  • Hallucinogen Use Disorder.
  • Alcohol Use Disorder.

What are the symptoms of substance use disorder?

  • Bloodshot eyes and abnormally sized pupils.
  • Sudden weight loss or weight gain.
  • Deterioration of physical appearance.
  • Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing.
  • Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination.

What is the most common type of substance use disorder?


Alcohol use disorder

is still the most common form of substance use disorder in America, fueled by widespread legal access and social approval of moderate drinking. Many Americans begin drinking at an early age.

What can cause substance use disorder?

A person’s genes, the action of the drug, peer pressure, emotional

distress, anxiety, depression

, and environmental stress can all be factors. Many who develop a substance use problem have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental problem.

What are the 4 types of drug?

  • stimulants (e.g. cocaine)
  • depressants (e.g. alcohol)
  • opium-related painkillers (e.g. heroin)
  • hallucinogens (e.g. LSD)

What four symptoms must you meet to be diagnosed with a substance use disorder?

  • Taking the substance in larger amounts or for longer than you’re meant to.
  • Wanting to cut down or stop using the substance but not managing to.
  • Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of the substance.
  • Cravings and urges to use the substance.

How many substance use disorders are there?

There are

11 diagnostic

criteria which can be broadly categorized into issues arising from substance use related to loss of control, strain to one’s interpersonal life, hazardous use, and pharmacologic effects.

How can you stop or avoid substance abuse?

  1. Effectively deal with peer pressure. The biggest reason teens start using illicit drugs is because their friends utilize peer pressure. …
  2. Deal with life pressure. …
  3. Seek help for mental illness. …
  4. Examine every risk factor. …
  5. Keep a well-balanced life.

Which of these is a example of drug misuse?

An example of drug misuse is when a

person who can’t fall asleep after taking a single sleeping pill takes another pill an hour later hoping

that “it’ll do the job.” However, it’s drug abuse when a person consumes sleeping pills to manage their moods or acquire a “buzz,” or — in worst-case scenarios — to commit suicide …

What are 3 major substances of abuse?

  • Alcohol.
  • Marijuana.
  • Prescription medicines, such as pain pills, stimulants, or anxiety pills.
  • Methamphetamine.
  • Cocaine.
  • Opiates.
  • Hallucinogens.
  • Inhalants.

How common is substance use disorder?

75 percent report not receiving any form of treatment. A survey of American adults revealed that drug use disorder is common, co-occurs with a range of mental health disorders and often goes untreated.

Is substance use disorder a disability?

Box. Figure 1-1: Substance Use Disorders as

a Coexisting Disability

. Chemical dependency is called a disability and covered as such under the provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

What is severe substance use disorder?

People with SUD have an intense focus on using a certain substance(s) such as alcohol, tobacco, or

illicit drugs

, to the point where the person’s ability to function in day to day life becomes impaired. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or will cause problems.

Who is affected by substance use disorder?


About 5.1 million young adults age 18 to 25

battled a substance use disorder in 2017, which equates to 14.8% of this population and about 1 in 7 people. About 3.4 million young adults age 18 to 25 had an alcohol use disorder in 2017, or about 10% of young adults.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.