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Substance Use Disorder

What Is Substance Abuse?

The definition of substance abuse is the improper use of illegal drugs or alcohol. It can also include the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Some people refer to substance abuse as addiction or a substance use disorder.

Substance abuse affects millions of people each year. Over 48 million people in the U.S. aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2022, according to SAMHSA.

It's a harmful pattern of drug or alcohol use that can get in the way of work and relationships.

The good news is, there's help. At UPMC, we treat SUDs with medicine, therapy, and support.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Substance Use Disorder?

If you or a loved one have the following signs and symptoms, you may have a SUD:

  • Having intense urges to use a substance.
  • Needing more of the substance to get the same effects.
  • Engaging in risky or illegal behavior when using the substance or to get more of it.
  • Using the substance gets in the way of work, family, or other duties.
  • Spending the bulk of your time getting, using, or recovering from the substance.
  • Being unable to stop using the substance, even when you want to.
  • Feeling withdrawal symptoms — including anxiety, fatigue, vomiting, achiness, or seizures — when you don't use the substance.

What are the types of substance abuse?

The main types of substance abuse are:

  • Opioid abuse. Opioids — morphine, oxycodone, and hydromorphone — are common treatments for pain. But with steady use, people can form both a physical and mental dependence to these painkillers.
  • Illicit drug abuse. The prolonged use of street drugs like heroin, cocaine, and marijuana can also lead to a physical and psychological need.
  • Prescription drug abuse. People don't only abuse prescription drugs like opioids. They can also abuse sedatives, including benzodiazepines and stimulants, like mixed amphetamine salts, when they don't take them as directed.
  • Alcohol abuse. Alcohol remains the leading drug of abuse in the U.S. If you engage in a pattern of drinking that disrupts your day-to-day life, you may have an alcohol use disorder.
  • Tobacco abuse. Cigarettes and other tobacco products contain nicotine, which is addictive. When you start using tobacco on a regular basis, it can be hard to stop. Tobacco use can lead to cancer, heart disease, and other health issues.

What causes substance use disorders?

Substance abuse can be the result of many factors.

It tends to run in families, so genetics likely play a role.

The type of drug you use can also lead to abuse. Opioids, for instance, lead to changes in the brain that make you want more.

Mental health disorders also affect substance abuse. People who live with untreated mental health issues like depression and anxiety often self-medicate with substances.

What are substance abuse risk factors and complications?

Substance abuse risks

Any person, at any age, can abuse drugs or alcohol.

But certain risk factors may make it more likely that a person will abuse them, such as:

  • Family history of substance use problems.
  • Mental health disorders.
  • Peer pressure.
  • Starting substance use at an early age.
  • Environmental stress.

Substance abuse complications

The short- and long-term abuse of drugs and alcohol can lead to a host of issues, including:

  • Confusion or memory loss.
  • Seizures or coma.
  • Kidney or heart failure.
  • Brain damage.
  • Overdose or death.
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How Do You Diagnose Substance Use Disorders?

Your doctor will talk with you to decide whether you have a SUD.

They'll ask you about your family history and your use of drugs, alcohol, or other medicines.

This will help them learn whether your use is at the level of substance abuse.

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What Are the Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders?

Doctors tend to treat people who have SUDs with a mix of lifestyle changes, counseling, and medicines.

UPMC offers inpatient and outpatient SUD treatments, such as:

  • Inpatient detox. In some cases, you'll need to clear the substance you're using from your body to start your recovery. UPMC offers programs to help you do this without having to go through painful withdrawal symptoms.
  • One-on-one and group therapy. Therapy helps you learn about substance abuse, relapse, and recovery. It also teaches healthy coping, communication, and stress reduction skills to help prevent relapse.
  • Psychiatric care for mental health disorders. Often, people have both substance use and mental health disorders. UPMC provides mental health treatment, including medicine management, to help support recovery.
  • Medication-assisted treatment. Doctors may also prescribe medicines to support withdrawal and help you better control drug cravings and compulsions.

The time it takes to recover from a substance use disorder varies from person to person. How long yours will take depends greatly on your own needs.

Learn more about SUDs on UPMC Healthbeat:

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Last reviewed by Donna L. Geraci, CRNP on 2024-04-17.