Understanding Substance Use Disorder (SUD): Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Adderaladdiction - Adderall addiction - Cocaine Dependence - Hallucinogen Abuse - Cocaine Abuse - Opioid Abuse - Hallucinogen Dependence - Cannabis Dependence - Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Dependence - Cannabis Abuse - Amphetamine Abuse - Antidepressant Abuse - Alcohol Abuse - Sedative, Hypnotic or Anxiolytic Abuse

General

Substance use disorder is a condition characterized by persistent drug use despite harmful effects and consequences. The severity of the condition has significant variability, depending on the drug and personal characteristics. Alcohol, cannabis, opioids, hypnotics, stimulants, tobacco are some of the substances that may cause the disorder.

1,623 people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) are on Alike.

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Signs & symptoms

Signes and symptoms depend significantly on the type of substance involved. Still, the patients affected with the disorder generally show some of the symptoms listed: - Deterioration in personal or professional aspects. - Drug use in harmful or hazardous situations. - Tolerance – a higher dosage of the drug needed to reach the same effect. - Withdrawal – a distinct group of effects that result from discontinuation of the drug. - Craving for the drug. - Inability to stop using the drug, despite wanting to.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made via questioning, physical examination and may include psychiatric assessment and additional tests.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the patient's will and the substances involved. Treatments include psychological therapy, group therapy, and different medications (mainly when treating alcohol, opioid, and tobacco use disorder).

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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