Substance use disorder (SUD) is a complex condition that involves misusing prescription, illicit, or legal substances. Addiction is not just a physical condition. It involves a person’s emotions, genetics, behaviors, and more. In 2022, an estimated 48.7 million people aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder, including 29.5 million with an alcohol use disorder and 27.2 million with a drug use disorder.[1]
Using addictive substances can change how the brain and body work. These changes can make it very challenging for people to stop using substances without professional help.
In this article, we will explore what substance abuse and addiction are. You will learn:
If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Center Specialists to explore our programs or schedule an intake appointment.
Drug addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), develops when people use addictive substances and develop dependence on them. People may begin using addictive substances for a range of reasons. They may feel curious about the drug’s effects, want to fit in with peers, or want to use substances to self-medicate physical or emotional pain.
Frequently using addictive substances can make changes in how the brain and body work. Over time, people may need to use larger amounts of a substance to get its desired effects. This is called tolerance. Developing tolerance can lead to increased use of a substance.
In some cases, people may develop physical dependence very quickly. In others, it may take months or years of abuse to cause physical dependence.
Some substances with the potential for misuse and dependence include:
Once someone has developed a physical dependence on drugs or alcohol, they often cannot choose to simply stop using it. If they stop using the substance abruptly, they will experience withdrawal symptoms that may be dangerous or life-threatening. People with addiction often find it incredibly challenging to stop using substances without significant interventions and ongoing support.
Certain risk factors can increase someone’s risk of developing substance use disorder. These factors include:
People with substance use disorder may experience long-term physical and mental health problems. Substance use can worsen mental health conditions, lead to chronic medical conditions, and put people at risk of overdose and death.
Recognizing the signs of substance use disorder and seeking treatment is essential. Comprehensive treatment can help people understand and address the complex underlying roots of their addiction.
Addiction is an inability to control your intake of an addictive substance. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), there are several criteria required to diagnose someone with substance use disorder (SUD).[2] These signs of addiction include:
If you recognize any of these signs of addiction in yourself or someone you love, seek treatment. It is essential to seek treatment as soon as you realize a problem. The sooner you begin treatment, the more effective it is likely to be.
Addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all process. People have different needs throughout treatment and recovery. There are many levels of treatment available for since use disorder, including:
The primary goal of comprehensive treatment programs is to help people safely stop using drugs or alcohol and prevent relapse.
Comprehensive addiction treatment programs may include:[3]
Throughout treatment, people receive tailored care from medical and mental health professionals. Comprehensive treatment programs provide the treatments, support, and structure people need to put addiction in the past.
If you or someone you love requires treatment for substance use disorder, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Center specialists to explore our treatment programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
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Obsessions are repetitive thoughts, mental images, or urges. People may experience intrusive thoughts, mental pictures, or urges. Obsessive thoughts can cause significant distress and affect daily life in many ways.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), some examples of common obsessions include:
People may experience significant stress or anxiety as a result of their obsessive thoughts.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors a person feels they must do. People with compulsions may perform actions or rituals related to their obsessions.
Examples of common compulsive behaviors include:
Engaging in compulsive behaviors can be time-consuming and distressing.
Not all people who engage in obsessions or compulsive behaviors have OCD. People with OCD typically have disruptive patterns of thoughts and behaviors that affect their well-being or functioning.
People with OCD typically meet specific criteria, including:
Some people with OCD have “tics,” which are typically repetitive movements or sounds. Motor tics include:
Common vocal tics include:
People with OCD often have other mood or anxiety disorders. People are most likely to receive a diagnosis of OCD as a child or young adult. Symptoms of OCD can come and go or change over a person’s lifetime.
Treatment can help people with OCD manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Mental health professionals typically use a combination of medications and therapy to treat OCD symptoms.
Here is an overview of the therapies used to treat OCD. Before beginning treatment, your doctor or mental health specialist will assess your needs and create a personalized treatment plan.
Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is effective at helping to reduce compulsive behaviors. During ERP therapy sessions, people spend time in a safe, supportive environment, having gradual exposure to their triggers. For example, someone in ERP therapy may touch a soiled item without being allowed to wash their hands.
People may experience anxiety during the initial phases of ERP therapy. However, over time, this approach can significantly reduce compulsive behaviors.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy). Using it during OCD treatment can help people identify destructive patterns of thinking and behaviors. CBT helps people learn to question negative thoughts and change harmful behaviors.
A doctor or mental health provider may prescribe medications to help treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. Doctors typically prescribe serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This type of antidepressant affects the brain’s serotonin levels. Regulating serotonin can help in treating OCD and depression.
It can take up to 12 weeks for people to experience the benefits of SSRIs. Some people experience unwanted side effects when taking these drugs, including:
Comprehensive programs that include both medications and therapies are the most effective at helping people manage the symptoms of OCD.
If you or someone you love struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder or another mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the mental health specialists at Agape Behavioral Center to explore our treatment and support programs.
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