What You Need to Know About Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder is a health condition involving compulsive substance use. It develops when substance use interferes with the ability to function day to day. It can occur with prescription or nonprescription drugs
Medical professionals previously used the term “drug abuse” to describe substance use disorder.
Another term for substance use disorder is addiction.
This differs from dependence.
Substance misuse also leads to other public health problems, such as:
- drunk and impaired driving
- familial stress
- potential for child abuse and neglect
Sharing or reusing needles for intravenous drug use also increases the risk of contracting and transmitting infectious diseases, including HIV and hepatitis.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes substance use disorder as a brain disease.
It’s characterized by repeated substance use despite negative effects. Substance use disorder involves many social and biological factors.
The most successful way to prevent substance use disorder is through education.
Substance use disorder: risk factors
Substance misuse and addiction can affect anyone.
However, there are some things that may increase the chance of developing a substance use disorder.
As is the case with many conditions, genetics play a key role in addiction.
Research indicates that genetic factors may be responsible for 40 to 60 percent of an individual’s susceptibility to developing a substance use disorder.
Other risk factors for developing substance misuse issues include:
- physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- exposure to trauma
- family members or peers who use or misuse substances
- access to these substances
- mental health disorders, such as:
- eating disorders
- personality disorders
- substance use at an early age
Adolescent substance misuse
Adolescents are likely to experiment with substances.
Their brains aren’t fully developed, so they don’t have the same decision making abilities as adults.
As such, they may develop substance misuse issues.
Risk factors for adolescent substance misuse include:
- parents or family members who misuse substances
- childhood mistreatment, such as abuse or neglect
- peer pressure to use substances
- gang affiliation
- certain conditions, like ADHD or depression
Having one or more of these risk factors doesn’t mean someone will develop an addiction.
Substances classified as depressants (or central nervous system depressants) reduce activity in your central nervous system (CNS).
They make you feel relaxed and drowsy.
However, depressants’ effects vary depending on the amount consumed and an individual’s specific reaction to the substance.
For example, low doses of depressants can actually have a stimulant effect and cause a euphoric feeling.
Larger doses cause depressant effects, such as cognitive impairment or loss of coordination.
Your body rapidly absorbs alcohol from your stomach and small intestine into your bloodstream.
Alcohol impairs brain function and motor skills.
It can affect every organ in your body.
Alcohol can also harm a developing fetus in those who are pregnant.
Alcohol in moderation may be part of a healthy diet.
One standard drinkTrusted Source equals:
- 12 ounces of beer
- 8 to 9 ounces of malt liquor
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1.5 ounces of liquor
But heavy alcohol use increases the risk of:
- liver disease
Alcohol use disorder occurs when your use of alcohol affects your daily life, like your ability to work or maintain relationships.
Heavy alcohol misuse can harm your health in the long term.
Heroin is an opioid.
Like the prescription drug morphine, heroin is made from the seed of the poppy plant, or opium.
Heroin is also referred to as:
It’s typically injected into a vein, smoked, or snorted.
It can also be administered rectally.
Heroin produces a euphoric feeling and clouded thinking, followed by a drowsy state.
Heroin use can lead to:
- heart problems
Regular heroin use leads to increased tolerance.
This means that over time, you may need to take more of the substance to experience its desired effects.
If abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms typically occur.
Because of this, many people who use heroin continue to use it to avoid feeling sick.
Substance use and abuse: stimulants
Stimulants increase CNS activity.
They can temporarily make someone feel more alert, energized, or confident.
Misuse can lead to serious risks, such as:
- cardiovascular issues
Cocaine is a powerful substance. It’s injected into veins, snorted, or smoked.
Cocaine produces energetic and euphoric feelings.
It’s also called:
Cocaine use increases:
- body temperature
- blood pressure
- heart rate
Heavy and prolonged cocaine use can lead to:
- heart attacks
- respiratory failure
Methamphetamine is closely related to amphetamine.
It can be snorted, injected, or heated and smoked.
Other names for methamphetamine include:
Methamphetamine can produce long-term wakefulness.
It may also increase physical activity, which can result in increased:
- heart rate
- body temperature
- blood pressure
If used for a long time, methamphetamine can lead to:
- mood problems
- violent behavior
- severe dental problems
Marijuana is a dried mix of the following parts of the cannabis plant:
It can be smoked or ingested via a variety of edible products.
It can produce feelings of euphoria, distorted perceptions, and trouble solving problems.
Marijuana is also called:
Research has supported and continues to explore the ability of marijuana to treat certain medical conditions, such as glaucoma and chemotherapy side effects.
This category refers to a wide variety of substances people often use at dance parties, clubs, and bars.
They include the following:
- Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). It’s also known as grievous bodily harm, G, and liquid ecstasy.
- Ketamine. Ketamine is also known as K, special K, vitamin K, and cat valium.
- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). MDMA is also known as ecstasy, X, XTC, adam, clarity, and molly.
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). LSD is also known as acid.
- Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Flunitrazepamis also known as R2 or as a roofie, rophie, roche, or forget-me pill.
Club drugs can lead to feelings of euphoria, detachment, or sedation.
Due to their sedative qualities, roofies in particular have been used to commit sexual assaults, or “date rape,” on unsuspecting people.
They can cause:
- serious short-term mental health problems, such as delirium
- physical health issues, such as rapid heart rate, seizures, and dehydration
Risks of these side effects increase when they’re mixed with alcohol.
There are other commonly misused substances that don’t fall into the above categories.
Anabolic steroids are also commonly known as:
- gym candy
Steroids are lab-made substances. They mimic testosterone, the male sex hormone, and are taken orally or injected.
Steroid misuse can cause serious and chronic health problems, including:
- aggressive behavior
- liver damage
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
Women who misuse steroids face additional symptoms, such as:
- facial hair growth
- menstrual cycle changes
- a deepened voice
Teens who misuse steroids may experience:
- impaired growth
- accelerated puberty
- severe acne
Use of Inhalants
The act of using inhalants is sometimes known as huffing. Inhalants are also known as:
Inhalants are chemical vapors that people breathe to experience mind-altering effects. They include common products, such as:
- hair spray
- lighter fluid
The short-term effects cause a feeling similar to alcohol use.
Using inhalants comes with risks. They can lead to:
- a loss of sensation
- a loss of consciousness
- a loss of hearing
- brain damage
- heart failure
Many people are prescribed medication to manage pain and other conditions.
Prescription drug misuse occurs when you take a medication that’s not prescribed to you, or you take it for reasons other than those prescribed by your doctor.
Some people who take these medications can develop a substance use disorder, even when they’re using the medication exactly as prescribed.
These drugs may include:
- opioids for pain management, such as fentanyl (Duragesic, Subsys), oxycodone (OxyContin, Xtampza ER), or acetaminophen/hydrocodone
- anxiety or sleep medicine, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium)
- stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall)
Their effects differ depending on the medication, but misusing prescription drugs can lead to:
- depressed breathing
- slowed brain function
The misuse of prescription drugs has increasedTrusted Source over the past few decades. This is partially because they’ve become more widely available.
Stages of substance use disorder
Some experts break up substance use disorder into the following stages:
- In the experimental use stage, you use the substance with peers for recreation.
- In the regular use stage, you change your behavior and use the substance to fix negative feelings.
- In the daily preoccupation, or risky use, stage, you’re preoccupied with the substance and don’t care about your life outside of your substance use.
- In the dependence stage, you’re unable to face your life without using the substance. Your financial and personal problems increase. You may also take risks to obtain the substance that result in legal problems.
Treating substance use disorder
Medical treatment is available for substance use disorders. Programs should follow these principles of addiction treatment:
- Addiction is a complex but treatable health condition.
- There’s no single treatment that works for everyone.
- Treatment is readily available.
- Treatment focuses on your multiple needs.
- Treatment addresses your mental health. Your treatment needs are regularly evaluated to ensure your treatment is meeting them.
- It’s critical to remain in treatment for an adequate amount of time. Voluntary and involuntary treatment can be effective.
- Potential substance use is monitored during treatment because relapses can and do happen.
Treatment programs should also check and assess for infectious diseases while providing risk-education counseling. This empowers you to take control of your health so you don’t contract or transmit infectious diseases.
Depending on the type of substance use disorder, the first stage of treatment may be medically assisted detoxification.
During this process, supportive care is provided as the substance is cleared from your bloodstream.
Detoxification is followed by other treatments to encourage long-term abstinence.
Many treatments involve both individual and group counseling.
These are provided in outpatient facilities or inpatient residential recovery programs.
Medications can also reduce withdrawal symptoms and encourage recovery.
In heroin addiction, for example, your doctor may prescribe a medication called methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone).
These medications can ease your recovery and help you cope with the intense withdrawal stage.
Preventing substance use disorder
The best way to avoid a substance use disorder is to prevent use in the first place.
However, while abstaining from substances is the safest approach, it may not be the most realistic.
Because of this, education and safety practices are the best tools to reduce harm and avoid addiction.
Mental healthcare, community outreach, and reducing stigma can all help prevent the development of substance use disorders.
Harm reduction programs can also reduce complications of substance use and connect people to treatment.
If you’re a parent and concerned about your children’s substance use, create a safe space to talk openly with your children.
The more knowledge and trust, the better.
- Alcohol and drug abuse. (n.d.).
- Commonly abused drugs chart. (2019).
- Drug overdose deaths. (2019).
- Excessive alcohol use. (2019).
- Genes and addiction. (n.d.).
- McHugh RK, et al. (2016). Prescription drug abuse: From epidemiology to public policy.
- Misuse of prescription drugs. (2018).
- Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
- The science of drug abuse and addiction: The basics. (2018).
- Wang J-C, et al. (2013). The genetics of substance dependence. DOI:
- What is a standard drink? (n.d.).
- What is addiction? (2017).
- Whitesell M, et al. (2013). Familial, social, and individual factors contributing to risk for adolescent substance use. DOI:
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