Substance use disorder is also called drug addiction. Impaired coordination, legal trouble, neglected responsibilities, and sudden weight losses are signs of a person struggling with addiction. According to Dr. Michael D. Mitchell M.D. at Mitchell Medicine, substance disorder is a severe problem, but it is treatable through compassionate and judgment-free help.
The significant types of drug disorders include the abuse of different drugs and alcohol. Often, you will find that most people are addicted to both alcohol and drugs.
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Drug Use Disorder
Drugs are substances that interfere with the ability of your brain to handle communication and process information. Drugs are addictive, and the longer you take them, the more you become over-reliant on them. Long term use of different drugs damages the brain in different ways, resulting in drug use disorders.
Drug use disorders include the use of prescribed medication or illegal drugs or both. Other substances like heroin, steroids, inhalants, and cocaine are highly addictive, thus causing quick substance use disorder. Common signs portrayed by people dealing with drug addiction include lack of energy and motivation, sudden weight loss, drastic change in behavior, absenteeism in school and workplaces, neglected hygiene, difficulty in speaking, and missing money and valuables.
Alcohol Use Disorder
It is also known as alcoholism or alcohol addiction. In the United States, it is the most common addiction among the population. People with this type of disorder consume a lot of alcohol because they have lost the ability to control how much they can drink. Such people are highly likely to experience withdrawal symptoms when they quit drinking.
The major drinking problems that result in alcohol use disorders include heavy drinking, which involves taking a lot of alcohol several times a month, and binge drinking, where you consume too much alcohol in a single day.
Common signs of people with alcohol use disorder are the ability to create fast excuses for drinking, isolation from friends and family, experiencing slight memory loss, absenteeism at work or school, drinking secretly, and extreme mood swings.
Causes Of Substance Use Disorder
Many people fall into drug addiction out of curiosity or the urge to feel good. According to researches, it has been established that about 60% of substance use disorders are genetic. Adults with substance use disorder often suffer from depression and bipolar disorders and take alcohol or other drugs to deal with the situations.
Other key factors that result in mental health disorders are chronic pain, a tense home environment, the loss of a loved one by death or divorce, financial problems, issues in relationships, sleep problems, and long-term use of tobacco. Children who grow around an environment where they see their parents and other members of the society use drugs also get tempted to try.
Diagnosis And Treatment Of Mental Disorders
It would be best if you visited a health practitioner to help you stop using drugs. Your doctor will conduct a physical examination or use a questionnaire to identify your specific substance use disorder. After the diagnosis of mental health disorders, your doctor will be able to know the appropriate treatment to accord you.
Treating substance use disorders often involves counseling and some specially prescribed drugs. Many drug addiction treatment programs are sponsored by support groups, members of the political class, churches, and even individual members of the society. If you think if you have a drug use disorder, don’t shy from asking for professional help.