Substance Abuse Disorder

Substance abuse disorder is one of many terms used to describe a category of mental health disorders in which noticeable changes in behavior are the direct result of using substances that change how the central nervous operates. Substance abuse disorder is a term that can also be used to describe the phenomena of addiction. Some people with a substance abuse disorder become addicted to changes in the central nervous system or pleasure center of the brain after one or two uses of the substance, while other people are able experiment a few times and then cease using the substance for good without becoming addicted. Becoming easily addicted to an activity includes more than drug or alcohol-related substances; it includes, gambling, internet-based games and surfing, shop-lifting, risk-taking and eating disorders.

Substance Abuse Disorder vs. Substance Abuse Addiction

There are ongoing debates as to the exact distinctions between substance abuse and substance dependence, but current practice standard distinguishes between the two by defining substance dependence in terms of physiological and behavioral symptoms of substance use, and substance abuse in terms of the social consequences of substance use.

Substance Abuse Facts

Having a substance abuse disorder can lead to substance abuse tolerance and dependence. Tolerance occurs when increasingly larger amounts of the substance (or activity) are necessary in order to achieve the same effect (or feeling of satisfaction) as it did at the onset of the behavior. With substance abuse disorder, the body becomes tolerant to the substance so that when it is not ingested or included in the daily activity pattern, withdrawal symptoms develop. Withdrawal symptoms can be physical and include headaches, nausea, insomnia, shaking, heart palpitations and visual or auditory hallucinations. Substance abuse disorder has withdrawal symptoms that can be emotional and include irritability, aggression, depression, mood swings, paranoia and anti-social or promiscuous behavior. To find drug abuse help call 1-800-763-1562 at any time. All calls are confidential.

Getting help for a substance abuse disorder means overcoming the tendency to deny that a problem exists. Unfortunately, for most people who are addicted to a substance or an activity, this acceptance usually follows a tragedy or a rock-bottom event. Sometimes, people with a substance abuse disorder are ordered by the courts to seeksubstance abuse treatment in order to avoid jail time or as a condition for release or bail.

Help for Substance Abuse Disorder

Substance abuse disorder has no universal definition, but it does have a lot of different methods to break down the negative behavior patterns. Substance abuse disorder is overwhelming and hard to overcome, especially without medical supervision and emotional support.

To find substance abuse treatment supervision and support for your own substance abuse disorder, or to get help for someone you care about, call 1-800-763-1562. We can provide you with all of the necessary substance abuse resources you need. Substance abuse disorder can be beaten. A healthy life is within your grasp, call now.