Substance Use Disorder

What Is Substance Use Disorder?

Substance-use disorder (SUD) is a diagnostic term from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that refers to recurrent use of alcohol or other drugs that results in clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet primary responsibilities at work, school, or at home.

A mental health disorder can often accompany it. Examples of associated mental disorders can be anxiety, depression and personality disorders.

People who have substance use disorders may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using substances. A severe substance use disorder can cause acute symptoms, and the severity of the symptoms depends on the substance used and how long someone has been abusing it.

A substance use disorder can be related to illicit drug use, prescription drugs or legal drugs, such as tobacco or alcohol.

Types of Substance use disorders

There are different types of Substance use disorders. Each type involves a different pattern of behaviours and symptoms.

There are three common types:

1. Alcoholism
2. Drug-use disorders
3. Nicotine-dependence

Alcoholism

An alcoholic drinks too much alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant. Depressants slow down the central nervous system. Alcohol slows down the brain so that it cannot think clearly. An alcoholic may have trouble thinking about things before acting on them.

Drug-Use Disorders

A drug-use disorder is when a person uses a particular substance repeatedly, often in dangerous situations. Drugs are any chemicals that alter how the body works. Examples of drugs include alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, heroin, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, and hallucinogens.

Nicotine-Dependence

People who smoke cigarettes usually do so because they enjoy the feeling of having something in their mouth. People who smoke also believe that it helps them relax. However, nicotine is addictive. It makes you want to keep smoking. You get used to the high of nicotine. You crave it.

How Does Substance Use Disorder Develop?

As explained above, mental health can play a role in developing an addiction, as the individual might start using the substance as a coping strategy for dealing with their mental illness.

The development of addiction begins with repeated exposure to a substance in which the individual becomes dependent on it. This type of dependency occurs because the body adapts to the presence of the substance by creating physical changes in the brain. These changes are called adaptations. When a person stops taking the substance regularly, the brain will go back to its original state, but without the chemical change caused by the adaptation. This causes withdrawal symptoms.

The brain adapts to the presence and effects of a substance by changing the way it functions. Some of the ways this happens include:

• Changes in the number and location of receptors for neurotransmitters
• Changes in the number of neurotransmitters released
• Changes in the way cells communicate with each other
• Changes in the structure of neurons
• Changes in the size and shape of nerve terminals
• Changes in the ability of certain types of cells to respond
• Changes in the activity of genes

Addiction is a chronic condition. It does not happen overnight. Over time, the brain adapts to the effects of the substance. As a result, the person needs to take larger amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect. This process continues until the person has developed an addiction.

When someone develops an addiction, they experience cravings for the substance. Cravings are strong urges to use the substance, even though the person knows it is wrong. They feel like they need the substance to function normally. Without the substance, the person feels anxious, depressed, irritable, and restless. They may begin to neglect meaningful relationships and responsibilities. If left untreated, the person’s life may be ruined.

Some people become addicted to one specific substance, while others develop addictions to more than one substance at once. For example, some people smoke marijuana every day and then drink alcohol every night. Others might start smoking pot after drinking heavily and then move on to illegal drugs, such as cocaine. In either case, both substances affect the same part of the brain. The only difference between these two groups of people is the order in which they started using the substances.

What Is Drug Withdrawal?

When you stop using a substance, your body goes through withdrawal. Withdrawal happens gradually over several days. Your body starts to produce many physical changes. These changes make you uncomfortable. They cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Some people experience anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Some extreme drug addiction withdrawal symptoms can lead to coma and even death if not treated.

Another way is to talk to your doctor about ways to prevent yourself from becoming dependent on a substance. It’s advisable to be aware that mental health problems can lead to 0800 999 1083.