How Common Is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder, or SUD, occurs when a person is dependent on a substance for a period of time. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that 21.5 million people over the age of 12 had a SUD in 2014. Of this, 94.2 percent were people over the age of 18. Only a fraction of these people get the help they need at treatment facilities. In many communities, these disorders are a leading cause of overdoses.
What Is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
A SUD can refer to a variety of instances in which a person becomes dependent on an illegal or legal substance in such a way that they feel they need to use it. The term substance abuse may describe a variety of short-term and long-term changes including behavioral, physical and social.
The term ‘Substance Abuse’ is becoming less common as leading groups suggest using the term ‘substance use’ for illicit drugs and ‘misuse’ for prescription medication used other than prescribed.
To diagnose SUD, doctors must understand the changes in patients’ personalities and behaviors. Here are some examples of behavioral changes that may indicate a SUD is occurring:
- Poor performance at work or school
- Using substances while driving a vehicle
- Mood swings, outbursts, aggression or irritability
- Periods of hyperactivity or agitation
- Poor motivation
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in sleep
SUD can also cause physical changes. These include:
- Unexpected weight loss or gain
- Tremors
- Slurred speech
- Deterioration of physical appearance
- Bloodshot eyes
Additionally, a person may show changes socially, such as:
- Changes in relationships, such as new friends
- No longer engaging in social activities
- Financial problems or need for money
- Legal problems
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, about 25 percent of people with a serious mental health disorder are likely to also have a substance abuse disorder. Most commonly, these mental health issues include depression, schizophrenia, personality disorders and anxiety disorders.
It’s a Mental Health Disorder
SUDs are a type of mental health disorder. That is, they occur as a result of changes and dependency in the physical body and the brain. Understanding that it’s a mental health disorder makes it possible to treat the underlying cause of the addiction.
It’s Not a Behavioral or Process Addiction
It’s important not to confuse a SUD with a behavioral or process addiction. In these instances, a person is engaging in some type of behavior that is creating a need to repeat that behavior. With a process or behavioral addiction, you may feel a high related to the activity, but later feel guilty. Examples include:
- Gambling addictions
- Sex addictions
- Gaming addictions
- Food addictions
- Shopping addictions
These are important addictions to treat as well, but they are significantly different than what happens to a person with a SUD.
What Is an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Though many people refer to a SUD as the use of an illicit substance or the illegal use of a legal substance, it can also relate to alcohol abuse. Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, occurs when a person is unable to control their drinking due to emotional and physical dependency.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports about 16 million people in the United States have AUD. Those who compulsively use alcohol often have a loss of control over their intake. They also demonstrate aggression or a negative emotional state when they do not have alcohol.
What Causes Substance Use Disorder?
It’s not known why some people develop SUD and others do not. However, factors such as a person’s genetic makeup and mental health are key. It can be brought on by peer pressure, emotional distress from a tragic event, the result of anxiety or as a way to manage depression.
In others, mental health disorders such as attention deficit disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder can trigger the use of alcohol or drugs. This can progress into a SUD or AUD.
In still other situations, SUDs are brought on by prescription-strength medication dependency, such as taking pain medications for treatment after an injury. They can also occur in those who live stressful lives over a long period of time.
Are You Predisposed to a SUD?
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, adults are more likely to develop SUD or AUD if they grow up in a home where drug use is present. This may be the result of a genetic predisposition or environmental factors.
