Substance Use Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments

However, it is important to note that not everyone who uses these substances may have an SUD. We link to external websites for informational purposes only, but we do not endorse or guarantee their accuracy. Once you leave our site, you will be subject to the new website’s privacy policy. Unless otherwise specified, the information on our website and in maverick house rehab our publications is in the public domain and may be reused or copied without permission. Please cite the National Institute of Mental Health as the source.

Take Our Substance Abuse Self Assessment

It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about the person struggling with addiction. If you think that you or a loved one might have a substance use disorder, effective treatments are available that can help. The first step is to talk to your doctor or mental health professional about your options. Your treatment and recovery needs will vary depending on the nature and severity of your substance use. After discussion with you, your health care provider may recommend medicine as part of your treatment for opioid addiction.

1. Your healthcare provider should review your treatment plan regularly.
2. Then, as their body experienced dependence, efforts to cut back or quit on their own proved to be extremely painful — or next to impossible.
3. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.
4. It’s challenging to watch someone you care about develop or live with addiction.
5. For example, genetics played a role in first-time alcohol use in 18% of girls (but 0% of boys) at age 14.

Meth, cocaine and other stimulants

A provider will also ask about your mental health history, as it’s common to have an SUD and a mental health condition. Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. For some people, intensive inpatient care may be the way to go, while others may benefit from part-time outpatient support.

What is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

People can speak with a primary care doctor if they experience SUD symptoms or if they are concerned about a loved one who may have an SUD. Inhalants include volatile substances that produce chemicals, which a person can inhale to produce mind-alerting effects. Stimulants are drugs that increase the activity of the central nervous system. In the United States, 1 in 7 people aged 12 years and older report having an SUD. The condition can affect any person regardless of age, race and ethnicity, income level, or gender.

Seeking Safety

Substance use disorder (SUD) and addictions are complex and challenging conditions. When appropriate, your doctor will prescribe medications to address the physical withdrawal symptoms and help you feel more comfortable throughout this process. There are many interrelated factors between chronic pain and substance use disorders. There are specific ages that make a person more likely to develop a substance use problem. Adolescence is a particularly risky time due to the developing, not-yet-mature brain. Thus, drug use causes changes in the brain that can result in a lack of self-control and poor decision-making and judgment.

Medications can help modify your brain chemistry to help treat certain SUDs. One of the more common and most deadly complications of substance use disorder is overdose. Seeking medical care as soon as you have signs of substance use disorder is essential.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is committed to delivering original, truthful, accurate, unbiased, and medically current information. We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. Hallucinogenics, or psychedelics, are a group of drugs that alter someone’s perception of their thoughts and feelings as well as what’s around them.