Understanding Substance Abuse

Learn About Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is commonly defined as a pattern of harmful abuse of any substance with the intention of experiencing mood-altering effects. Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, painkillers, and other prescription medications are among the most commonly abused substances. When a person abuses alcohol or other drugs, many adverse effects can result. Substance abuse can lead to the decline of a person’s mental and physical health and the destruction of many other areas of his or her life.

Substance abuse has the ability to quickly develop into an addiction, which can lead to a host of additional serious consequences. If proper treatment for substance abuse is not sought the risk for serious and possible permanent consequences only increases.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders

The following mental health disorders have been known to occur alongside substance use disorders:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Bipolar disorder
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Schizophrenia

Statistics

Addiction Statistics

It is estimated that nearly 24 million people in the United States have used or abused alcohol or other drugs at some point in their lifetimes. Furthermore, researchers anticipate that substance abuse and addiction in the United States may become an even bigger problem as synthetic substances are becoming more prevalent and popular.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and Risk Factors for Drug Abuse

Substance abuse and addiction can be caused by a wide variety of factors and influences, including the following:

Genetic: Extensive research has determined that there is a connection between a person’s genetics and his or her susceptibility for developing an addiction. When a person has a family history of substance abuse and/or addiction, there is a high probability that he or she will also develop problems with alcohol or another drug.

Environmental: The environment in which an individual spends a significant amount of time can play a role in determining whether or not an individual will begin to use substances. For example, living in low socioeconomic areas, having easy access to alcohol and other drugs, and having a traumatic past can all increase an individual’s likelihood for abusing substances.

Risk Factors:

Family history of chemical dependency or mental illness
Personal history of mental illness
Poor parenting during childhood
Lack of effective, appropriate coping skills
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Peer pressure
Easy access to substances
Exposure to violence
Being the victim of abuse, neglect, or crime

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse

There are many signs and symptoms that may indicate that an individual is abusing alcohol or another drug. The specific signs and symptoms an individual displays will depend upon the type of substance being abused, the amount that is consumed, and the length of time that the abuse has gone one. Some common signs and symptoms of substance abuse may include:

Behavioral symptoms:

Lethargy
Emotional outbursts
Missing days of work
Inability to fulfill roles or responsibilities
Hyperactivity
No longer participating in things that were once enjoyed
Engaging in risky behaviors
Increased conflict with others
Social withdrawal or isolation
Change in peer group

Physical symptoms:

Headaches
Bloodshot eyes
Sweating
Nausea and vomiting
Slurred speech
Poor coordination
Poor hygiene
Injection sites
Shakiness / tremors
Diarrhea
Weight loss or gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia

Cognitive symptoms:

Impaired memory
Delayed thinking
Confusion
Poor concentration
Derealization
Poor decision-making
Hallucinations
Delusions
Inability to reason
Psychosis

Psychosocial symptoms:

Mood swings
Agitation
Irritability
Changes in temperament
Depressed mood
Anxiety

Effects

Effects of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse and addiction is not something to take lightly. If left untreated, a substance abuse problem can lead to a series of negative consequences, including damage to a person’s emotional wellbeing, physical health, and professional life. Some of these negative consequences may include:

Job loss
Strain in relationships
Divorce
Organ damage
Hormone imbalances
Development of cancer
Fertility problems
Gastrointestinal disease
Contraction of HIV or other diseases
Development of depression or anxiety
Memory loss
Aggressive behavior
Arrest records
Probation or incarceration
Overdose
Death

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of Drug Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of withdrawal: Should an individual stop using certain substances after prolonged use, he or she may experience symptoms of withdrawal. The symptoms of withdrawal one experiences will ultimately depend upon his or her substance of choice, but may include the following:

Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Anxiety
Depression
Nervousness
Increased heart rate
Loss of appetite
Sweating
Fatigue
Nightmares
Mood swings
Clammy skin
Fever
Hand tremors
Confusion
Hallucinations
Convulsions

Effects of overdose: When alcohol or any other type of drug is consumed in large amounts or in combination with other substances, an individual is at risk for experiencing an overdose. The symptoms of an overdose will depend upon the substance that has been consumed, but some of the most common symptoms include: