Substance use disorder (SUD)
What is SUD?
SUD is a treatable, chronic disease, characterized by a problematic pattern of use of a substance leading to noticeable impairment or distress. SUDs can lead to significant problems in all aspects of a person’s life.
Patterns of symptoms resulting from substance use can help a doctor diagnose a person with SUD and connect them to appropriate treatment. For certain drug types, some symptoms are less prominent, and in some cases, not all symptoms apply. For example, withdrawal symptoms are not specified for inhalant use.
A SUD can be applied to the following types of drugs:
Alcohol
Cannabis
Hallucinogens
Inhalants
Opioids
Sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics
Stimulants
Tobacco (nicotine)
Other substance
Treatment and Recovery Options
Overcoming an SUD is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs. Like many other chronic conditions, treatment is available for substance use disorders. While no single treatment method is right for everyone, recovery is possible, and help is available for patients with SUDs.
Evidence-based guidelines can assist doctors with choosing the right treatment options. These guidelines help evaluate a patient’s clinical needs and situation to match them with the right level of care, in the most appropriate available setting.
Medications
There are effective medications that treat opioid, alcohol, and nicotine addiction and lessen the symptoms of many other mental disorders. Some medications may be useful in treating multiple disorders.
Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) – Specific conditions like opioid use disorder may require medication as the first course of treatment. MOUD can help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Counseling
Helps people understand addiction, their triggers, and their reasons for using drugs. This form of treatment can be done at a doctor’s office or via telehealth appointment.
Inpatient rehabilitation
A full-time facility provides a supportive environment to help people recover without distractions or temptations.
Behavioral therapies
Research has found several behavioral therapies that have promise for treating individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. Health care providers may recommend behavioral therapies alone or in combination with medications.
Some examples of effective behavioral therapies for adults with SUDs and different co-occurring mental disorders include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy aimed at helping people learn how to cope with difficult situations by challenging irrational thoughts and changing behaviors.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) uses concepts of mindfulness and acceptance or being aware of and attentive to the current situation and emotional state. DBT also teaches skills that can help control intense emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors (such as suicide attempts, thoughts, or urges; self harm; and drug use), and improve relationships.
Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a form of community-based mental health care that emphasizes outreach to the community and an individualized treatment approach.
Therapeutic communities (TC) are a common form of long-term residential treatment that focuses on helping people develop new and healthier values, attitudes, and behaviors.
Contingency management (CM) principles encourage healthy behaviors by offering vouchers or rewards for desired behaviors.
Behavioral therapies for children and adolescents
Brief strategic family therapy (BSFT) therapy targets family interactions thought to maintain or worsen adolescent SUDs and other co-occurring problem behaviors.
Multidimensional family therapy (MDFT) works with the whole family to simultaneously address multiple and interacting adolescent problem behaviors, such as substance use, mental disorders, school problems, delinquency, and others.
Multisystemic therapy (MST) targets key factors associated with serious antisocial behavior in children and adolescents with SUDs.
Name
Substance use disorder (SUD)
Description
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD.
Types
Cover