DRUG ABUSE
What It Is:
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable medical disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to compulsive use of a legal or illegal drug or medication with continued use despite harmful consequences. SUD is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness with biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors specific to an individual’s life experiences which influence its development and maintenance. Studies show that about half of individuals who experience a SUD during their lives will also experience a co-occurring mental disorder and vice versa.
Signs and Symptoms:
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Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
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Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
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Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
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Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
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Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
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Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
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Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
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Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
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Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
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Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
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Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
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Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
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Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug