If you spend much time researching drug use and addiction, you will likely encounter the term “substance use disorder.” What is a substance use disorder, and how does it relate to addiction?
What Is a Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder is simply the clinical term for addiction. The term “substance” can refer to legal drugs such as alcohol and prescription pills, as well as illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
People who develop substance use disorders lose the ability to control the amount and frequency of their drug use, and can feel compelled to continue using substances even after being harmed by their prior use.
Most experts view substance use disorders as chronic, progressive diseases. This means that they are long-term conditions that are likely to worsen over time.
Also, as with other chronic diseases (such as arthritis and diabetes), substance use disorders are not curable. However, with effective treatment, a person can learn to manage their symptoms and live a much healthier life in recovery.
How Many People Have a Substance Use Disorder?
Compulsive substance use can have an isolating effect on a person. People who develop addictions often withdraw from friends and family, and both shame and guilt can prevent people from seeking the help they need.
But the sad truth is that substance use disorders are quite common. The following information about addiction in the U.S. is from data collected during the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NS-DUH):
- About 48.4 million people ages 12 and older (or about 16.8% of that demographic group) met the criteria for a substance use disorder diagnosis.
- Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism) is the most common type of addiction in the U.S., affecting about 27.9 million people. This equates to about 9.7% of the 12-and-above age group.
- Other frequently occurring addictions in this age range include:
- Cannabis use disorder: 20.6 million people, or 7.1% of the population
- Opioid use disorder, which includes addictions to heroin, morphine, fentanyl, and prescription painkillers: 4.8 million people, or 1.7% of the group
- Stimulant use disorder, which includes addictions to cocaine, amphetamine, and methamphetamine: 4.3 million people, or 1.5% of the demographic group
- Of all people ages 12 and above who needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2024, fewer than one in five (19.3%) received care.
Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders
Once you know what a substance use disorder is, a common follow up question is, how can I tell if someone has one of these conditions?
Clinicians in the U.S. often refer to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) when assessing patients for substance use disorders. Though the criteria can vary somewhat among different types of addiction, typical symptoms include:
- Frequently using the substance in a larger amount or for a longer period of time than intended
- Having powerful urges to use the substance
- Spending significant amounts of time acquiring and using the substance and recovering from its effects
- Continuing to use the substance even after prior use caused or worsened some type of physical or psychological damage
- Continuing to use the substance even after prior use contributed to or worsened a social or interpersonal problem
- Using the substance in circumstances that are especially hazardous, such as by combining it with other drugs or using it immediately prior to driving a car
- Failing to fulfill responsibilities at home, in school, and/or at work as a result of substance use
- Ceasing or reducing participation in important activities as a result of substance use
- Developing tolerance, which means needing larger or more potent doses to experience effects that were previously achieved by using smaller amounts of the drug
- Experiencing physical and/or psychological withdrawal symptoms after abruptly ending or curtailing use of the substance
- Having a persistent desire to stop using the substance, but being unable to do so
Causes of Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders rarely have a single definitive cause. Instead, experts have identified several factors that can increase a person’s risk, such as:
- Family history of substance abuse, addiction, and/or mental illness
- Being abused, neglected, or otherwise traumatized during childhood
- Having anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or certain other mental health conditions
- Associating with peers who abuse alcohol or other drugs
- Poverty
- Certain genetic variations
- Inherited traits such as impulsivity and novelty-seeking
- Excessive stress
Effects of an Untreated Substance Use Disorder
Depending on a range of personal factors – including which drug a person has become dependent on, and the amount and frequency of their substance use – untreated addiction can impact a person’s physical, psychological, and social well-being.
Physical and Psychological Effects
The damage that compulsive substance use can inflict on a person’s body and mind include:
- Delayed reaction time
- Diminished cognition
- Memory problems
- Poor judgement
- Onset or worsening of mental illnesses
- Injuries due to activities while under the influence of substances
- Damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver
- Significant unintentional weight changes
- Muscle weakness
- Immune system dysfunction
- Exposure to various infections
- Several types of cancer
- Suicidal ideation
- Overdose
- Death
Social and Behavioral Effects
Substance use disorders can also disrupt a person’s relationships, career development, and other areas that affect their overall quality of life, which can include:
- Frequent conflicts with loved ones
- Ruined relationships
- Impulsive, aggressive, or otherwise reckless behaviors
- Frequent absenteeism from school or work
- Poor performance in school or at work
- Difficulty finding and keeping a job
- Financial problems
- Being arrested, fined, and/or jailed
- Social withdrawal or ostracization
- Homelessness
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Options
Anyone who exhibits any possible signs of a substance use disorder should consult with their doctor or schedule an evaluation with a reputable addiction treatment provider. Once a professional has conducted a thorough review, they can recommend appropriate treatment options.
Depending on the nature and severity of a person’s needs, they may be best served by spending time in one, several, or all of the following programs:
- Detoxification (detox)
- Residential treatment
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
- Outpatient rehab
Detox can help a person get through withdrawal safely. The other programs can help people understand the issues that contributed to their addictions and make the lifestyle changes that will empower them to live a healthier life in recovery.
Remember: There is no “right” or “wrong” treatment path – what’s most important is finding a provider who will get to know you as a unique individual, and develop a customized plan that addresses your specific needs, goals, and expectations.
Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Atlanta
Valor Behavioral Health offers personalized, age-appropriate outpatient treatment for adults and adolescents who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also provide customized care for patients who have been living with co-occurring mental health concerns.
To learn more about how our addiction treatment in Atlanta can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free consultation, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
