Have you ever wondered if something you started out doing for fun, or for stress relief, would eventually become too much for you to control? You thought you could "stop anytime," but now you can't stop, and it's affecting your health, relationships, and work? If so, you're not alone. Today we're talking about this serious, but treatable, condition.
What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
Simply put, substance use disorder, or what we used to call "drug addiction," is a mental health condition . It's not a weakness or a bad habit. It's a disease. If your pattern of using a substance (alcohol, tobacco, any other drug) causes problems for your health and life, that's what we call a ``Substance Use Disorder (SUD)''.
Think about it this way... When we use these things, a chemical called `(Dopamine)` in our brain is released. This makes us feel very happy and relaxed. But when the effect of the drug wears off, that happiness also disappears. Then our brain and body want to get that "good feeling" again. No matter how bad this is for our health , we can't control that desire. This situation can severely affect your mental health, family relationships, education, work, everything. In some cases, it can even be life-threatening.
The important thing is that this condition can be mild, moderate, or severe. No matter what stage you are in, remember that this is a treatable and curable condition . If you are ready, there are many ways to get help.
What are the main types of this condition?
This problem can be associated with various types of drugs. The most common types are:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Cocaine use disorder
- Cannabis use disorder
- Tobacco use disorder
- Methamphetamine use disorder
- Opioid use disorder (Opioid use disorder)
Sometimes a person may use more than one drug at the same time. For example, they may use tobacco along with alcohol. We call this ``Polysubstance use disorder''.
What are the symptoms of this condition?
The symptoms of this condition vary depending on the type of drug you are using. There are two main categories of symptoms.
| Characteristics category | Description |
|---|---|
| Intoxication | These are the short-term effects that occur immediately after taking the drug. They can include drowsiness, excessive calmness, excessive excitement, and heightened emotions. They can also affect your decision-making ability and mental and physical performance. |
| Withdrawal | This happens when the effects of the drug wear off and it begins to leave the body. These symptoms are very unpleasant. They can include vomiting, nausea, stomach upset, excessive sweating, insomnia, muscle twitching, and frequent mood swings. |
How do you know if you have a drug use problem?
This is a very important question. If you have had at least two of the following symptoms in the past 12 months, you may have this problem. Think about this honestly.
| Sign / characteristic | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Increase in size and time | You use drugs in larger amounts or for longer periods of time than you intended. |
| Inability to control | Even if you try to reduce or stop using it, it won't work. |
| Craving | I feel a strong desire and urge to use drugs almost all day long. |
| Time consuming | Finding drugs, using them, and recovering from their effects take up a lot of your day. |
| Disclaimer | This use makes it impossible to properly fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or at home. |
| Social and personal issues | This causes problems with family and friends, but you continue to use it. |
| Giving up hobbies | This is why they give up social activities and hobbies they used to enjoy. |
| Dangerous use | Drugs are used even in physically dangerous situations (e.g., while driving). |
| Ignoring health issues | They continue to use drugs even though they know that they are causing/exacerbating a physical or mental problem. |
| Increased resistance (Tolerance) | The small amount I took before has no effect now. So I have to take more now to feel the same way I used to. |
| Withdrawal symptoms | When drug use is stopped or reduced, the previously mentioned unpleasant symptoms (vomiting, body aches, tremors) occur. These symptoms disappear when use resumes. |
Why does this situation occur?
There is no single reason for this, but research suggests that the addictive nature of drugs is due to changes in the brain's "reward system."
There are several reasons why this condition usually develops:
- Social influence: Beginning to be influenced by friends or gain acceptance in society.
- Curiosity: Starting to see what kind of feeling this will give.
- To increase performance: Start working better at work or in school (e.g., studying after falling asleep).
- To relieve stress: Using it to temporarily relieve feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear, and depression.
What complications can this cause?
The most serious and deadly complication of this condition is an overdose . This is when you take too much of a drug at once. This is a medical emergency. For example, if you take an overdose of an opioid, it can affect the part of the brain that controls breathing. If not treated quickly, breathing can stop and even cause death.
Other complications:
- Cancer
- Depression
- Infections (such as hepatitis B, C, and HIV)
- Memory loss
- Loss of education and employment
- Breakdown of family and social relationships
- Engaging in unsafe, illegal, and risky behavior
How does a doctor diagnose and treat this condition?
There is no single test to diagnose this. A doctor will carefully evaluate your medical history and drug use behaviors. If necessary, they can do tests to determine the types and amounts of drugs in your body.
Remember, if you have 2-3 of the above symptoms, it is considered mild . If you have 4-5 symptoms, it is considered moderate . If you have 6 or more symptoms, it is considered severe .
Treatment methods
The first step in treatment is to remove the drug from the body (Withdrawal management or Detox). This can be very difficult, both mentally and physically. Therefore, it is safest to do this under the supervision of a doctor, with medication to reduce the symptoms of `Withdrawal`.
After that, there are two main treatment options:
1. Counseling and Therapy:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps you identify your negative behavioral patterns and thoughts and change them.
- Family Therapy: Helps improve relationships and behavior patterns with family members.
- Self-help groups: Participating in groups like Narcotics Anonymous can provide great strength to overcome this situation with the support of others.
2. Medication:
For some types of drugs, there are medications that alter brain chemistry and reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- For opioids: `(Methadone)`, `(Buprenorphine)`, `(Naltrexone)`
- For alcohol: `(Naltrexone)`, `(Acamprosate)`, `(Disulfiram)`
- For tobacco: Nicotine patches, nasal sprays, chewing gum, medications such as Bupropion or Varenicline.
Is it possible to fully recover from this condition?
This is a lifelong, chronic illness. But recovery is definitely possible. It's like a journey. Different people have different ways of doing things.
Relapse is a possible part of this journey. It means going drug-free for a while and then starting to use again. This doesn't mean you've failed. It just means you need to reevaluate your treatment plan. It's important to have a strong support system in place, including family, friends, and a medical team.
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel like something you're using has become a habit and you can't stop on your own, definitely see a doctor. Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. This is not your fault, it's a medical condition that needs to be treated.
Seeking treatment can be challenging. The time it takes to get rid of drugs is difficult. Counseling is emotionally draining. But recovery is the most precious gift you can receive. As you begin this journey, ask for help from a trusted friend or family member. Their encouragement can give you the strength you need to see a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Substance use disorder (SUD) is not a weakness on your part, it is a mental health condition that needs treatment.
- Getting help is the first and most important step in getting out of this situation. Don't be ashamed.
- Recovery is a journey. There may be relapses along the way, but that doesn't mean you've failed. The important thing is to keep trying.
- If you or someone you know has this problem, talk to a qualified doctor today. You are not alone.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න