Substance Abuse Disorders

One of the most common disorders in medical psychology, substance abuse disorder, is a condition identified by the inability of a person to control excessive use of drugs or medications. Some of the most common substances include alcohol, nicotine, and marijuana.

In most cases, substance abuse disorder reaches its onset due to the experimental application of drugs in social scenarios, which eventually becomes frequent with time. In other cases, particularly in medications and legal drugs, it starts with casual exposure to prescribed medicines. However, it must be noted that the risk of addiction in these cases depends on how fast a person becomes addicted to the substance. It also significantly depends on the construction period and frequency.

Causes of Substance Abuse Disorders

The major causes of substance abuse disorder include regularly consuming substances such as cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. In addition to this, the most common causes can be categorised into three different types of substance abuse disorders. 

• Social factors

Social influences and factors such as peer pressure, easy availability for people, terminal conflicts in family and friends, difficult social attitudes, and lack of social or family support may contribute to developing substance abuse disorders.

• Psychological factors

A person may also suffer from substance abuse disorder due to several psychological factors. These include poor control over mood swings, little interest in conventional life goals, psychological distress, childhood trauma or loss, and low esteem. Even the mildest cases may become severe if the psychological factors involved in these stages are not handled properly. 

• Biological factors

Certain biological factors such as family history and genetic factors are some of the most common factors responsible for substance abuse disorder. In addition to these, this may also include reinforcement in terms of drugs, continual consumption, withdrawal of effects, cravings, and biological factors. 

Types of substance abuse disorder

In certain cases, substance abuse disorder may also lead to substance-induced disorders. Here are some of the most commonly found cases –

• Substance-induced anxiety disorder 

It is a medical condition identified by extreme nervousness and restlessness for panic due to consumption of drugs. However, it must be noted that if a person experiences extreme anxiety before proceeding with the drug consumption, even if it makes the existing symptoms worse, it will not be the case with substance-induced anxiety disorder.

• Alcohol use disorder 

This medical condition is identified by the inability of a person to control their drinking despite being aware of the negative impact on their health and relationships.

• Opioid Use Disorders 

An opioid is a type of drug that contains the substances of heroin and synthetic opioids. Thus, consumption of these substances in excessive amounts leads to a medical condition called opioid use disorder, which is the class of substance abuse disorder.

• Nicotine use disorder

Also known as nicotine dependence, it is a medical condition observed as a compulsive and relentless craving to consume nicotine despite awareness of consequences. The person loses control over nicotine intake and starts showing withdrawal symptoms.

• Marijuana use disorder

Synonymously known as cannabis use disorder, marijuana use disorder happens due to continuous and relentless use of cannabis irrespective of clinically important impairment. The consumption levels, in this case, are closely related to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders.

• Stimulant use disorder

Stimulant use disorder happens when a person indulges in stimulants for purposes other than medical applications. 

Signs and symptoms 

Some of the major signs and symptoms of substance abuse disorder include –

• Uncontrollable urge to consume drugs in some shape or form. It can be as frequent as consuming drugs multiple times in a single day.
• Extreme consumption of drugs leads to blockage thoughts or memories. This is one of the most common symptoms of substance abuse disorder noticed in patients.
• Taking excessive amounts of drugs over an extended period, usually lasting longer than the intended time frame.
• Consciously ensuring that there is enough supply of drugs with a constant source to facilitate it.
• Exaggerated spending on buying and consuming drugs even after knowing that doing the same is simply not affordable.

Diagnosis

The treatment and diagnosis of substance abuse disorder are mainly composed of two significant aspects. These include the recovery period and residential substance abuse treatment. 

Substance abuse recovery

• Includes keeping a track of the drug being consumed in terms of consumption frequency and quantity.
• Identifying and evaluating the merits and demerits of getting rid of the use of the substance and how a person can get back to their normal life
• Participating in personalised treatment programs and committing to its main objective.
• Performing stress relief procedures as a part of the treatment program
• Evaluating results from periodical evaluations and test assessments to check the progress.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, substance use disorders are one of the most commonly found medical cases in substance use. Over time, a person may become addicted to substance use that may require immediate medical assistance. In such severe cases, it is recommended to seek medical treatment from trained and certified professionals. 

However, one may also seek advice from practitioners looking for substance abuse and behavioural disorder counsellors’ jobs after obtaining the license. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of all the aspects of substance abuse disorder.