Both substance use disorders, are frequently further divided into substance abuse and substance dependence, and substance-induced disorders fall under the category of disorders associated to substances.
This vocabulary is used in the medical, psychiatric, social welfare, law enforcement, and other fields to describe illnesses that are frequently better known by other, less formal-sounding terms within the general public. While substance dependence is also known as drug dependence, which many people mistake for drug addiction despite the fact that the two are different concepts, substance abuse is more frequently referred to as drug abuse (even though it includes the abuse of alcohol, which is frequently not thought of as a drug by the layperson).
According to specialists, a substance use disorder is a medical condition characterised by the use of one or more chemical substances in a way that causes “clinically significant impairment or distress.” Abuse of any of the many different drug classes, such as alcohol, hallucinogens, inhalants, opioids, phencyclidine, sedatives, stimulants, and tobacco, can result in substance use disorders. These disorders can cause a variety of physical and mental symptoms as well as behaviours that can have detrimental and potentially fatal effects on both the person with the disorder and those around them.
Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is the use of a drug or group of drugs in ways and/or doses that are harmful to the consumer as well as to others. In contrast, substance dependence is a condition that develops as a result of repeatedly consuming a particular drug of abuse. In this condition, the body of the individual adapts to the drug’s presence and develops a tolerance to it, necessitating additional drug consumption in order for the individual to feel “normal. If the affected person stops using the drug, a withdrawal syndrome may occur, which will last for an extended period of time.
Disorders brought on by substance abuse are medical conditions known as substance-induced disorders. The most prominent substance-induced condition is intoxication, however, most laypeople may not even recognise it as a disorder at all. Other disorders caused by substances include withdrawal, mood disorders brought on by substances, delirium, and psychosis.
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Drug addiction can develop for a variety of reasons, just like many other mental health issues. The primary elements are:
Repeated drug use appears to alter the way your brain experiences a pleasure, which leads to physical addiction. Some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain undergo physical alterations as a result of the addictive substance. Neurotransmitters are substances that neurons use to communicate. Long after you quit using, these alterations may persist.
Any age, sex, or socioeconomic group can develop a drug addiction. The probability and rate at which an addiction develops can be influenced by a number of factors:
People who deal with substance addiction frequently have mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. In reality, co-occurring disorders are thought to affect nearly half of all drug abusers.
Due to the following factors, these conditions frequently coexist:
Some signs or behaviours of drug addiction include:
It might be challenging to tell the difference between typical teenage unhappiness or moodiness and drug use. Possible signs that your kid or another member of your household is taking drugs include:
Cannabis can be consumed or used as a vaporizer, or it can be smoked. Cannabis is frequently the first drug tried and is used before or concurrently with other substances like alcohol or illicit narcotics.
Recent drug usage can show these signs and symptoms:
Chronic long-term usage is frequently linked to:
There are two categories of synthetic drugs: substituted or synthetic cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids. Because there is no quality control and some chemicals may not be known, the effects of these pharmaceuticals can be unexpected and harmful.
K2 or Spice, two names for synthetic cannabinoids, are sprayed on dried herbs before being smoked, but they can also be made into herbal tea. Despite what the company may have you believe, these are not “natural” or innocuous items, they are chemical compounds. These substances have emerged as a popular but risky substitute for marijuana because they can generate a comparable “high”.
Recent consumption can show these signs and symptoms:
Bath salts, also known as substituted cathinones, are psychoactive drugs with similar effects to amphetamines like ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. To prevent detection, packages are frequently marked as other products.
These are not bath items like Epsom salts, despite the name. The highly addictive substituted cathinones can be ingested, snorted, breathed, or administered intravenously. These substances can lead to extreme drunkenness, which may have fatal consequences for one’s health.
Recent drug usage can show these signs and symptoms:
Central nervous system depressants on prescription include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and hypnotics. They are frequently employed—and sometimes abused—in an effort to unwind or “turn off” from stressful thoughts and emotions.
Recent drug usage can show these signs and symptoms:
Amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, and other stimulants), and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR, others) are among the stimulants.
They are frequently abused and taken inappropriately to get a “high,” increase energy, boost performance at work or school, decrease weight, or manage hunger. Recent drug consumption can show these signs and symptoms:
At clubs, events, and concerts, club drugs are frequently consumed. Examples include ecstasy or molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, also commonly referred to as “roofie”), and ketamine. Despite not all belonging to the same category, these medications have certain common side effects and risks, including long-term negative effects.
The use of GHB and flunitrazepam raises the risk of sexual misbehaviour or sexual assault because these medications can sedate, relax muscles, create disorientation, and impair memory.
Club drug use might show up as the following signs and symptoms:
Depending on the drug, using hallucinogens can result in a variety of signs and symptoms. The most often used hallucinogens are phencyclidine and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (PCP).
LSD consumption may result in:
PCP usage may result in:
Depending on the substance, there are different signs and symptoms of inhalant usage. Glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids, and household aerosol sprays are a few examples of compounds that are frequently inhaled. Users risk suffering from brain damage or unexpected death as a result of the poisonous nature of these drugs.
Usage symptoms and signs can include:
Opioids are narcotic, painkilling substances generated either synthetically or from opium. Among the substances in this class are heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone, and oxycodone.
The abuse of opioid prescription painkillers has increased alarmingly. Some people who have used opioids for a long time may require temporary or long-term drug substitution during therapy, which must be prescribed by a doctor.
Narcotic use and dependence can show symptoms like:
Drug usage can have both short-term and long-term impacts that are important and harmful. Some drugs can be very dangerous to use, especially in excessive dosages or when combined with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples:
Drug dependence can lead to a multitude of harmful side effects, such as:
If a person has consumed enough of a substance to become intoxicated and is unable to tell a doctor what they have taken, substance usage would normally be diagnosed based on intoxication symptoms, which would clearly vary from substance to substance.
Various criteria can be used to diagnose substance use disorders. The 11 diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 are the most frequently used:
Withdrawal symptoms might vary greatly depending on the substance, and withdrawal would be diagnosed based on which symptoms developed and their intensity.
The specific disorder in question would determine how to diagnose substance-induced disorders (as previously described, medical conditions that are caused directly by substance use and/or abuse). The diagnosing physician would need to be aware of the patient’s consumption of (and, where applicable, dependence upon) the relevant substance(s) of abuse in order to make the correct diagnosis.
Facilities can be found all across the UK that treats people who are addicted to a variety of drugs and alcohol. The treatment of substance use disorders and addiction has advanced to a level of remarkable sophistication and experience. It is generally accepted that the most effective form of treatment is a combination of detoxification (detox) and therapy, which may be offered as part of a holistic addiction treatment programme at a residential rehabilitation (rehab) facility. Different treatment approaches, therapy models, and methodologies are used, with varying degrees of success.
In the detox phase of treatment, patients may experience withdrawal, which must be closely monitored by medical professionals for the patient’s safety, especially in cases of alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence, for which withdrawal can be fatal. Detox addresses the immediate issue of physical dependence by cleansing the addict’s system through abstinence from all substances of abuse. While some of the worst withdrawal symptoms may be treated medically with drugs, there is currently no established pharmaceutical treatment for withdrawal itself.
With cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) being the most widely used psychotherapeutic model, additional models used in the treatment of addiction include dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), motivational therapy (MT), and motivational interviewing (MI). Some clinics also provide additional therapies including yoga therapy, art therapy, and others. A comprehensive treatment programme will also offer nutrition and exercise regimens designed to enhance the addict’s overall health and boost self-assurance and self-esteem.
After the formal treatment, it’s advisable to receive some form of aftercare to reinforce the mechanisms and support necessary for to patients maintain sobriety, especially as they return to their normal lives and environments, usually with triggers and enablers of past substance use behaviours.
Numerous support groups, including renowned organisations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), are available nationwide for addicts in recovery. These groups can be attended by people still in treatment or patients which have left the rehab centre. The only requirement for participation in support groups is a commitment to abstinence where attendance is often free. Individual counsellors and therapists with a focus on addiction therapy are other options available in the UK.
Detox and rehabilitation are essential components of the complex strategy needed for addiction treatment. However, when necessary, both detox and rehab programmes can incorporate the use of medicine.
Treatment for addiction varies from person to person and depends on the substance(s) abused the level of addiction, and additional elements including mental and physical health. For some patients, a treatment regimen that combines pharmaceutical and behavioural therapy may be the most successful.
As an initial stage, a medically assisted detoxification may be necessary. At this point, medication is frequently used to relieve the effects of withdrawal, but it can also help to reduce cravings, making the detox process more efficient and easier to sustain.
After detox is finished, a rehabilitation programme that may include using medication might start. Some medications can assist the patient stay sober by keeping them from relapsing into drug dependence at this time.
The medicine methadone is frequently used to treat heroin withdrawal and other opiate drug addictions. The synthetic opioid methadone works to curb cravings by attaching to the same brain receptors as heroin and other opiates. Methadone helps with opioid withdrawal symptoms because it does not cause the same euphoric effects as other opiate drugs. It does, however, carry the same risk of abuse and addiction.
Buprenorphine is seen to be a better opiate addiction treatment option than methadone due to its lower risk of abuse and addiction. Buprenorphine can also be prescribed and delivered for self-administration, unlike methadone, which must be administered by a medical professional.
Naltrexone can be used to treat alcohol and opiate withdrawal. Naltrexone is beneficial in the treatment of opioid addiction because it stops opioid medications from stimulating the brain. It stops you from getting the same high from the drug that you used to get, but it doesn’t make you less inclined to seek it out.
Lofexidine is widely used in conjunction with a detox programme to treat opiate addiction. When coupled with methadone or naltrexone, it can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and hasten the detoxification process.
During drug detox, anxiety symptoms can be treated with the antidepressant medication mirtazapine. It has been proven to be helpful in helping addicts stay away from substances including alcohol, cocaine, opioids, methamphetamine, and others.
Despite having been originally developed as a blood pressure medication, clonidine is frequently used to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Clonidine has also shown to be a successful treatment for withdrawal symptoms such anxiety, cramps, muscle pains, and agitation, which can be withdrawal symptoms from opioid detox. This is true even though it was not intended to treat opioid addiction.
The benzodiazepine class of drugs includes clonazepam, which is used to treat seizures and symptoms of panic disorder. Due to its calming qualities, it may be used to reduce the anxiety and muscle aches brought on by drug addiction withdrawal. However, Clonazepam must be used cautiously while treating addiction because benzodiazepines have such a high potential for abuse.
Benzodiazepines and chlordiazepoxide both belong to the same drug class. Because of its sedative qualities, it can be used to treat anxiety and insomnia brought on by alcohol and drug withdrawal. It should only be used briefly and cautiously because it is a very addictive chemical.
Antidepressant medication bupropion is frequently prescribed to assist people stop smoking. Although it has not been successful in treating cocaine withdrawal, there are some signs that it could help with methamphetamine addiction.
Addicts to narcotics are more likely to experience seizures. Drugs that reduce the frequency of seizures, such as anticonvulsants, may be helpful for those with this condition. Drug withdrawal symptoms may be lessened by anticonvulsant drugs such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), lamotrigine (Lamictal), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), valproic acid (Depakote), and topiramate (Topamax).
Benzodiazepines are sedative/hypnotic drugs that bind to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Examples of these drugs include lorazepam, alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, and triazolam. Their use has been associated with lower drug addiction rates and more successful detoxification programmes. Benzodiazepines are also frequently used to treat sleep difficulties and anxiety disorders. The drug can cause tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms with prolonged usage and the use of benzodiazepines must be properly managed by qualified individuals due to the risks involved.
Other medications, in addition to those mentioned above, may be used to treat particular symptoms of drug addiction and withdrawal. For instance, antidepressants can treat melancholy brought on by withdrawal, whilst different anxiolytics can treat anxiety and panic attacks. The doctors who are in charge of each patient will administer this medication on a case-by-case basis. Drug interactions could be deadly, therefore patients going through detoxification and withdrawal shouldn’t take anything without their doctor’s knowledge and clearance.
Drug withdrawal syndrome may also be helped by the following medicines:
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With the help of inpatient therapy, you can recuperate in a safe atmosphere away from possible enabling people and circumstances. You will have to spend some time in a recovery centre and go through a difficult adjustment period. However, this sort of treatment is one of the most successful because it enables patients to completely concentrate on their rehabilitation, pausing their outside lives during the treatment period.
Your care and assistance will be provided outside of a traditional clinical environment if you enrol in an outpatient programme. There will be fewer strict routines, so you will be expected to maintain your sobriety individually. Additionally, you have more independence, which enables you to maintain taking care of your commitments. Keeping your life separate from the programme may also expose you to regular temptations and enablers.
Get assistance if your drug usage is out of control or causing issues. Your chances of making a full recovery are higher the sooner you seek care. Consult your main physician or a mental health expert, such as an alcohol and drug counsellor who is certified or a physician who specialises in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry.
Set up a medical appointment if:
Helplines or hotlines may be a helpful way to learn about treatments if you’re not ready to talk to a doctor. These phone numbers are listed online and in the phone book.
If you or someone you know has used drugs, get emergency care right away and:
People who are addicted to drugs typically reject that their drug use is a problem and are hesitant to get help. An intervention might inspire someone to seek or accept help by giving them an organised opportunity to make adjustments before circumstances get worse.
An intervention should be properly prepared and may be carried out by family and friends under the supervision of an intervention specialist or with the help of a doctor or other medical or mental health professional. It involves the person’s family, friends, and occasionally co-workers, clergy, or other concerned parties.
These individuals get together during the intervention to speak frankly and personally with the person about the negative effects of addiction and ask them to accept help.
In the UK and across the globe, addiction claims the lives of thousands of individuals each year and has the potential to kill them. You may feel tremendous sadness if you are battling an addiction, but there is treatment available if you are willing to admit your situation and ask for it. Thanks to the great professional assistance they received, countless individuals who once through similar suffering to yours are now living happy, healthy, and successful lives free from the burden of addiction. You too could take advantage of this. To discuss your alternatives and take the first step toward the happiness you deserve, speak with your doctor and or one of our addiction specialist right away. Call 0800 999 1083 for confidential help.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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