Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a problematic pattern of substance use that affects your health and well-being. Some of the most common substances include alcohol, opioids and marijuana. It can range from mild to severe addiction. Substance use disorder is a treatable mental health condition. Help is available when you’re ready.

Overview

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD), formerly known as drug or alcohol addiction, is a mental health condition where you experience a problematic pattern of substance use that affects your health and quality of life.

Substances change how your brain functions over time. They release dopamine, a chemical in your brain that makes you feel good — until the substance wears off. Your brain and body want to continue this good feeling, even if it’s unhealthy. It can significantly impact your emotional well-being, relationships, education and career. And in many cases, it is life-threatening.

Substance use disorder exists on a range and may be mild, moderate or severe. No matter where you are, know that this condition is treatable and help is available when you’re ready.

What are the types of substance use disorder?

Some of the most common types include:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Cocaine use disorder
• Cannabis use disorder
• Tobacco use disorder
• Methamphetamine use disorder
• Opioid use disorder

It’s common to have more than one SUD at a time, like alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder. This is known as a polysubstance use disorder.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of substance use disorder?

The symptoms and effects of substance use disorder vary based on the type of substance you use. There are two groups of symptoms based on when or if the substance is in your body. These include:

• Intoxication: This is the immediate and short-term effect of a substance in your body. Symptoms include feeling sleepy, calm, excited, intense emotions, etc. The substance can also affect your judgment and decision-making or physical and mental functioning.
• Withdrawal: These are symptoms that happen when the short-term effects of a substance wear off and the substance starts to leave your body. Symptoms are unpleasant and could include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, difficulty sleeping, muscle cramping and mood changes.

Management and Treatment

Learn the steps of preventing relapse of substance use disorder.

How is substance use disorder treated?

The first step of substance use disorder treatment is withdrawal management. This is where you stop taking the substance, allowing it to leave your body. Depending on the severity, a healthcare provider may offer medications to lessen the effects of withdrawal symptoms, as they can be rough physically and mentally.

After detox, you may continue a course of treatment with:

• Therapy.
• Medication.

Substance use disorder treatment is highly individualized. You might need different types of treatment at different times during your recovery. Several types of treatment settings, including inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as short-term care and long-term therapeutic communities, are available.

SUD therapy

Many different types of therapy can help treat SUD and any other co-occurring mental health conditions. Some examples of effective therapies for adults with SUDs include:

• Assertive community treatment (ACT): ACT provides mental health services in a community setting rather than a residential or hospital setting. ACT is highly individualized. Your treatment plan will focus on your strengths, needs and goals for the future.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps you identify problematic patterns of behavior and thinking. You’ll set goals to find healthier ways to cope.
• Contingency management: This type of therapy encourages you to set personal goals. When you reach a goal, it’s reinforced with a reward.
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT is a type of talk therapy similar to CBT. It’s designed to help you manage intense emotions and understand how your thoughts influence your behaviors.
• Family therapy: Family therapy helps you improve relationships and behaviors within a family or group setting.
• Motivational enhancement therapy: This type of therapy encourages you to set attainable goals. A mental health professional will encourage you to take steps to reach these goals.
• Therapeutic communities (TCs): A TC is a long-term residential treatment that focuses on helping you develop new, healthier values and behaviors related to substance use and other co-occurring mental health conditions.

Participating in self-help programs, like Narcotics Anonymous & Alcoholics Anonymous, can also play a significant role in SUD treatment. These programs support behavioral modification through self-help and peer support. Group therapy supports people with SUD in maintaining abstinence and restraint.

Contact NuLifeLineCare Rehab Centre in Dehradun today to learn more about their substance use disorder treatment program.

Call us on: +91–8958305058

Or visit: https://www.nulifelinecare.org/