What is considered substance abuse?

Defining addiction is a variable that changes with each clinician or practitioner. Generally, an addiction is defined as a disease or condition noted by behaviors that correspond to psychological and physiological criteria. An example could be a decline in physical health due to chronic use of a substance. Or, a loss of long-lasting friendship or risks of mind, body, and spirit are some factors. Aspects of Cause & Effect Aside from the common characteristics, the imperceptible part is the root cause that created the condition in the first place. Of course, there are many ways to define the root cause. In the medical discipline, the root cause is physical. Learning about healthy habits, such as reducing processed foods, increasing complex carbohydrates, and using purified drinking water, restore good health. In the psychology field, the root cause is the psyche. Even among the major branches of psychology, personal inventory is central. It usually involves recalling a past traumatic experience. In this view, the past is considered the impetus for addictive characteristics. Through compassionate exploration, the approach identifies causes and symptoms, then introduces intervention strategies. This process affords a person new directions of thinking. Even as a person affirms commitment to sober living, supports are ongoing—indefinitely. Thus, there is a subscription to addiction as a permanent condition.

Substance abuse, immediately when you find yourself overdoing something, when you find yourself being ashamed of it and also making plans by any means to get it. Most of the time people who are depressed rely on a substances to be happy or to escape feelings because they also play a role in increasing chemicals responsible for happiness in your brain and once taken this can feel like a relief but it is temporary. Substance abuse can affect your social life, love life, studies and work. You can quit if you set your mind to it as you've once lived without it.

The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or alcohol for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in excessive amounts. Substance abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related problems. Different Types of Substance Use Disorders: Opioid Use Disorder Marijuana Use Disorder Nicotine Use Disorder Stimulant Use Disorder Sedative Use Disorder Hallucinogen Use Disorder Alcohol Use Disorder Substance use disorders get worse over time. The earlier treatment starts the better the chances for long-term recovery. Many families are wrongly told to “wait for rock bottom” and that their loved one needs to feel ready to seek treatment in order for it to work. The idea that we should wait for the disease to get worse before seeking treatment is dangerous. Imagine if we waited until stage 4 to treat cancer. Decades of research has proven that the earlier someone is treated, the better their outcomes—and that treatment works just as well for patients who are compelled to start treatment by outside forces as it does for those who are self-motivated to enter treatment.

According to the DSM-V substance use disorders are defined by a person receiving 2 or more of select negative outcomes over a period of at least the past year due to their use or consumption of a substance. Personally, I agree with this definition as it allows us to distinguish between those that are simply using, but the substance has no negative effect, and those that have become worse off from the use of the substance. It also allows us to take an objective approach in drawing the line between substance use and substance abuse without allowing personal feelings about a substance to cloud our judgment. Those that have experienced alcohol related violence in their lives may be predisposed to view any consumption of alcohol as negative, but using the DSM-V definition allows them to remain neutral and thus increases their therapeutic efficacy.

Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. "Substances" can include alcohol and other drugs (illegal or not) as well as some substances that are not drugs at all. "Abuse" can result because you are using a substance in a way that is not intended or recommended, or because you are using more than prescribed. To be clear, someone can use substances and not be addicted or even have a substance use disorder Generally, when most people talk about substance abuse, they are referring to the use of illegal drugs. Drugs of abuse do more than alter your mood. They can cloud your judgment, distort your perceptions, and alter your reaction times, all of which can put you in danger of accident and injury. These drugs got to be illegal in the first place because they are potentially addictive or can cause severe negative health effects. Some believe the use of illegal substances is considered dangerous and, therefore, abusive.

Any substance that is required to make someone feel “normal”. It starts dictating your life and tears you away from people and activities you used to love. Something that financially cripples you. When your substance is your last best friend. You’ll lie hide steal and break laws to obtain. You have lucid dreams about using. You sacrifice for said substance and only said substance. You feel violently Ill if it’s been a few hours since you used. You start selling personal items for cash. You can’t keep track of your stories and lies. You believe your lies are truth, anything to protect you from stopping. One is never enough

Substance abuse isn't something you should take lightly. It occurs when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal and illegal substances too much or in the wrong way. Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm. Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work. They can give you a pleasurable “high,” ease your stress, or help you avoid problems in your life.

Substance abuse, as a recognized medical brain disorder, refers to the abuse of illegal substances, such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Or it may be the abuse of legal substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medicines. Alcohol is the most common legal drug of abuse. In recent years, prescription drug abuse has become an escalating problem, most commonly involving opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and stimulants. Many people start taking these drugs to cope with a specific medical problem—taking painkillers following injury or surgery, for example. Craving a drink regularly. Being unable to stop or limit drinking. Needing greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect. Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, like nausea, sweating, shaking, anxiety, increased blood pressure or seizures.