Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a condition whereby a person employs uncontrolled use of a substance, drug, or alcohol despite its dire consequences. This inability to control your dependency affects a person’s functioning, disrupting their day-to-day operations.
People might develop an addiction to:
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Marijuana
- LSD or other hallucinogens
- Cocaine
- Meth
- Inhalants (glue)
- Opioids (codeine, heroin, fentanyl)
- Sedatives (anxiety medication)
Substance abuse or drug addiction is a psychiatric disorder that affects the brain. This renders the affected person incapable of stopping this drug dependency, even if they try to. Don’t think drug addiction will ‘go away on its own.’ You need substance abuse treatment at the nearest appropriate drug inpatient rehab.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is a large term that incorporates dependency on any substance, including drugs and alcohol. Overusing any substance will create specific chemical changes in the brain that lead to an addiction. Given the rising numbers of addicts, there are many substance abuse rehabs across America to help you get proper substance abuse treatment.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is a subset of substance abuse disorder. This involves the uncontrolled use of drugs or over-the-counter medication beyond the prescribed dosage. Drug abuse, like all substance abuse, leads to social, physical and emotional issues in the affected person. If you or a loved one suffers from drug abuse, you can get substance abuse treatment online or choose a drug inpatient rehab.
Alcohol Abuse
While alcohol is ordinarily available at dinners and parties, its consumption in excessive amounts is characterized as alcohol abuse. Overconsumption of alcohol leads to health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, digestive problems, ulcers, and liver failure. More than 6% of U.S. adults suffer from alcohol use disorder. If you are one of them, you will find many alcohol inpatient treatment centers. Choose the right alcohol inpatient rehab near me and get the help you need. You should also follow this with alcohol detox. How long does alcohol detox last? Alcohol detox programs usually last 3, 5, or 7 days, depending on the severity of your addiction.
Causes of Substance Abuse Disorder
Many drugs activate the brain’s reward circuit, causing feelings of euphoria. The brain recognizes this as a positive feeling, motivating a person to repeat the behavior that led to this feeling. Over time, the brain responds to this intake and adjusts its ‘tolerance’ to it. As a result, the person doesn’t feel the same high from the same dosage as before. They will increase their intake to achieve the same effect, leading to higher drug intake and higher chances of drug addiction. Substance use mandates the need for professional substance abuse treatment.
Common causes of substance use are:
- To evade depression, anxiety, or feelings of sadness
- Peer pressure
- To receive pleasure
Signs of Substance Abuse Disorder
Look for substance abuse treatment near me if you notice any of these signs.
- Inability to stop taking the substance (alcohol or drugs)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in mood
- Increase in risky behaviors
- Spending large sums of money on procuring the substance
- Poor hygiene
- Difficulty concentrating
- Social isolation
- Anger issues
- Bloodshot eyes
- Unusual feelings of tiredness and exhaustion
Substance Abuse in High-Stress Professions
Occupations that expose individuals to heightened stress and trauma carry an increased risk of substance abuse, and among these, first responders—such as paramedics, firefighters, and law enforcement officers—stand out. These brave individuals often witness harrowing events and experience emotional, physical, and mental demands that can far exceed those of many other professions. Over time, this accumulation of stress, combined with the societal expectation to constantly appear resilient and unflappable, can push some towards substance use to cope, numb pain, or mitigate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recognizing and addressing the unique challenges first responders face is crucial for developing specialized intervention and support programs, ensuring that those who care for us in our direst times receive the care and understanding they need.
Get Help Right Away!
Substance abuse can be of any kind, drug abuse or alcohol abuse. Depending on what you or a loved one is suffering from, you should seek help and treatment immediately. Look for substance abuse treatment near me as proximity to your home is important. There is alcohol inpatient treatment and many drug inpatient rehab centers to help you get out of this toxic cycle and back on track. Never give up on yourself. Help is near!
