Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder

Substance Use Disorder
What is Addiction?
Substance use disorder, or drug addiction, is a brain disease that affects a person's ability to control legal or illegal drugs or medications despite harmful consequences.
These disorders are often tied to other mental health disorders, and they can make daily activities difficult, or impair a person’s ability to work or interact with family.
Symptoms include sudden changes in behavior, withdrawal from friends and family, engaging in risky behaviors, trouble concentrating, and confused thinking.
People can develop an addiction to:
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Alcohol
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Marijuana
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Opioids
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Cocaine & Amphetamines
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Benzodiazepines
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Hallucinogens
Treatment is behavioral counseling, treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and medication. Because addiction is a chronic disease, most people will need long-term care to prevent relapse.

Resources
Psych Central
Addictions - Learn About Substance Use Disorders & Alcoholism
Made of Millions
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Substance Use Disorder Symptoms
MentalHealth.gov
Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Shatterproof
Medical News Today
Addiction: Symptoms, effects, and what to look for
Support Groups
Al-Anon
Find an Al-Anon or Alateen Face-to-Face, Phone, or Online Meeting
Alcoholics Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous