Substance Use Disorders: Symptoms, Treatment & More-💜

• Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affects millions yearly, with 54.2 million Americans aged 12+ needing treatment in 2023. It impacts the brain, behavior, and daily life.
• Symptoms include cravings, risky use (e.g., driving under influence), withdrawal signs like sweating or nausea, and physical harm like weight changes or organ damage.
• Causes can involve mental health issues (e.g., depression or PTSD), genetics (40-60% risk linked to family history), and social factors like poverty or peer pressure.
• Effective treatments include behavioral therapies like CBT or group therapy and medications such as methadone for opioids or disulfiram for alcohol addiction.
• Prevention focuses on education about risks, teaching coping skills early, and accessing local services like those in Oakland County to reduce SUD risks.

This disorder impacts millions of Americans each year. In 2023 alone, an estimated 54.2 million people aged 12 and older needed treatment for SUD. The condition can involve specific substance issues such as opioid use disorder or cannabis use disorder.

1. You might notice an inability to stop drug or alcohol use, even when it causes harm. This is a key sign of addiction.
2. There may be a pattern of using substances in risky situations, such as driving under the influence.
3. Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from substance effects becomes common.
4. You could experience problems at work, school, or home due to substance use.
5. There might be withdrawal from family members or close friends as substance use increases.
6. Ignoring responsibilities or skipping important activities for drugs or alcohol often happens as usage grows.
7. Many develop cravings or intense urges to use substances throughout the day.
8. Larger amounts of the substance are usually needed over time to feel the same effects.
9. You may continue using substances even though they worsen mental health disorders like anxiety disorders or mood disorders.
10. Drug-seeking or compulsive behaviors often take priority over hobbies, recreational activities, and social interactions you once enjoyed.

1. You may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, and nausea when you stop using a substance.
2. Chronic pain could develop due to long-term substance misuse or related health problems.
3. Significant weight changes may occur from poor nutrition or appetite loss linked to substances like opioids or cocaine.
4. You could face physical health issues like infectious diseases, including hepatitis C, from risky behaviors such as sharing needles during drug use.
5. Sleep problems often happen with substance-related disorders, causing insomnia or extreme fatigue.
6. Damage to organ systems is possible after prolonged substance abuse, affecting your liver, heart, or lungs.
7. Frequent nosebleeds and nasal damage may result from cocaine use disorder due to snorting drugs.
8. Skin sores, rashes, or track marks might appear if you inject drugs into your veins regularly.
9. Seizures can occur as a result of serious drug addiction or sudden withdrawal without medical care.
10. Changes in brain functions caused by psychoactive substances can lead to headaches, confusion, or dizziness over time.

Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can increase the risk of substance use disorders. Stressful events or untreated psychiatric disorders may push you to use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope.

Adverse childhood experiences play a major role in developing these issues later in life. Emotional neglect, abuse, or other traumas during your early years impact how you handle stress and emotions as an adult.

Early intervention helps break the cycle between mental illness and addiction.

Genetics accounts for about 40-60% of the risk. Certain conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental disorders may also raise your likelihood of developing these issues.

Long-term drug use or misuse rewires the reward system in your brain, making cravings stronger over time. These factors make seeking help from health care providers or mental health services crucial for proper treatment options like therapy or medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Young people and young adults in Oakland County may face peer pressure or exposure to illicit drug use in school or social settings. These factors can lead to synthetic cannabinoids or other harmful drugs being used more widely.

Doctors may also assess changes in behavior or physical health caused by drug use disorders. Based on this evaluation, they create a treatment plan customized to your needs. Early diagnosis increases the chances of recovery and helps prevent severe issues like opioid overdose or long-term brain damage.

Treatment for Substance Use Disorder focuses on improving your health and well-being. Different methods can help you manage addiction and regain control of your life.

1. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches you how to avoid triggers and manage cravings. It also helps you develop healthier coping strategies for stress or emotions.
2. Motivational interviewing focuses on your personal goals. This therapy encourages you to take steps toward recovery by building confidence and motivation.
3. Contingency management uses rewards for positive behaviors like staying sober. You can earn incentives, such as vouchers or discounts, when you follow treatment plans.
4. Group therapy provides support from peers facing similar struggles. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous offer a safe space to share experiences and gain encouragement.
5. Family therapy involves loved ones in the recovery process. This strengthens relationships and creates a supportive home environment for healing.

1. Medications are often used alongside therapy to improve results in treatment approaches for substance use disorders. They work by stabilizing brain function and behavior.
2. For opioid addiction, drugs like methadone or buprenorphine are prescribed to reduce withdrawal effects while lowering cravings. These medications help you regain control over your life.
3. Naltrexone is another option for opioid use disorder. It blocks the effects of opioids, preventing any "high" if you relapse.
4. For alcohol use disorder, medications like acamprosate can help restore brain balance after quitting alcohol. This reduces urges to drink and makes staying sober easier.
5. Disulfiram is another medication for alcohol addiction that creates unpleasant reactions when combined with drinking, helping discourage relapse.
6. Smoking-related substance disorders may be treated with nicotine replacement therapies such as patches or gum, which ease withdrawal symptoms.
7. Clinical trials show that medications work best when combined with behavioral therapies or support from mental health services in your area.
8. All medications are carefully approved by organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse before being available for treatment options.
9. Early intervention using these drugs helps prevent long-term harm caused by chronic diseases related to substance abuse issues.
10. Talk to mental health providers in Oakland County about safe and effective medications as part of your recovery plan today!

You can prevent substance use disorder by focusing on early education and support. Talk to your family and community about the risks of drug use. Teach young people healthy coping skills for stress or peer pressure.

Accessing local mental health services in Oakland County is key. These services provide resources like therapy and education programs. Programs backed by groups like the National Center or United States government help spread awareness and reduce risk factors.