Mental Health Awareness: Substance Abuse

One of the more stigmatized areas of mental health is substance use and abuse; there are many who view substance abuse as a failing of the individual rather than an illness. However, while this may be the perception, it is not a moral failing if one has a substance abuse disorder. This can be even seen in how we are now framing substance abuse: the field of substance abuse is moving away from terms like “addict” because of the stigmatizing language.

People do not end up abusing substances for fun or because they want to; typically, there is a need that has not been met previously that is being met through substance use and this use ends up eventually becoming abuse in the attempt to continuously meet that need. For example, there are those who use substances because it is part of what is done with their social circle. For those who have acceptance and belonginess with peers as an unmet need, their substance use is tied to trying to maintain interpersonal connections. For others, substances provide emotional numbing or joy, a need they are not receiving elsewhere.

How do you know if you have a substance use disorder? Symptoms are cognitive, behavioral, and physiological, and there are three clusters of symptoms, per the DSM-5, that occur: impaired control (e.g., using more than intended, unsuccessful efforts to cease use, craving), social impairment (e.g., failure to fulfill role obligations, interpersonal problems), and risky use of the substance (e.g., use despite it being hazardous).

The features of substance abuse typically begin during one’s teenage years; thus, a teenager can have a substance use disorder. Further, frequently, there are other mental health disorders occurring concurrently; for example, alcohol use disorder and cannabis use disorder are associated with higher rates of depression and anxiety. Treatment of the substance use disorder alone may not be sufficient.

There are various forms of treatment that are currently available, both inpatient and outpatient. If you are seeking services for yourself or for a loved one, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a free and confidential helpline you can call for treatment referral and information services (1-800-662-4357).

Photo by Paul Wong on Unsplash

Written by Justina Yohannan, PhD