Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Substance use disorder means that a person uses substances even though it causes harm to themself or others. This disorder can range from mild to severe. It can develop from the use of almost any type of substance. This includes: In addition to alcohol, almost any type of substance can lead to substance use disorder. Common ones include: Some symptoms include: Substance use disorder may be diagnosed at a routine doctor visit or during a visit for a condition linked to substance use, such as anxiety or depression. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and history of substance use and do a physical exam. The doctor may also do a mental health assessment. The goal of treatment is to safely reduce or quit substance use. You may need medical care at first to manage withdrawal symptoms. Most people get some type of counseling. Medicines are often used to help control cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse. Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health. Certain things make it more likely that you will develop a substance use disorder. These are called risk factors. These include: Genes play an important role in personality. As a result, substance use disorder often runs in families. Genes may influence whether you use substances and whether your substance use becomes substance use disorder. You're more likely to develop substance use disorder if you have a mental health condition, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or an anxiety disorder. Treating mental health conditions makes substance use less likely. And if you have substance use disorder, treating mental health conditions makes recovery more likely. These include: The earlier you start to use substances, the more likely you are to develop substance use disorder. This may be because early substance use changes the developing brain. If you smoke a drug or inject it into a vein, you are more likely to develop substance use disorder. These methods give you a fast and intense "high," but you lose the high quickly and then feel low. This may cause you to use the substance more often. You're more likely to use substances if you live in an area where they're easy to get and substance use is common. You are more likely to use substances if your family members or friends use them. You may be more likely to use substances when you are having problems in your family or with friends. If you have no activities that give you a sense of purpose, you may be more likely to use substances. The more symptoms of substance use disorder you have, the more severe it may be. Symptoms include: Signs that a person may be using substances such as drugs or alcohol include: Most of these changes are not specific to substance use. They may be signs of another problem, such as depression, stress, or another medical condition. When you have substance use disorder and you stop using the substance, you may have physical symptoms known as withdrawal. These symptoms differ for each substance. They may include feeling sick to your stomach; vomiting; and having belly pain, sweats, nervousness and shaking, and seizures. Substance use can cause many problems. These may include: Substance use can affect judgment, decision-making, emotions, and learning. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you or someone else: Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can: Consider saving these numbers in your phone. Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online. Call your doctor if: Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. Watchful waiting is not a good choice for substance use disorder. If you have this disorder, or if you believe that your health or other areas of your life are being affected by drugs, you can get help to stop using drugs. A support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also help you and your family. Substance use disorder may be diagnosed during a routine doctor visit. Or you may see your doctor for a health or other problem linked to substance use, such as anxiety, depression, or family conflict. Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and past health and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have substance use disorder, your doctor may ask about current and past substance use and your family history of substance use. Your doctor may ask you to have: If you and your doctor agree that you have substance use disorder, your doctor probably will refer you to a specialist who treats substance use. Many people who have substance use disorder also have a mental health condition, such as depression or an anxiety disorder. This is called a dual diagnosis. If this may be true for you, your doctor may do a mental health assessment. If you have a dual diagnosis, you'll need treatment for both conditions. This gives you a better chance of a full recovery and less chance of using substances again. You and your doctor can decide what type of treatment might help you. If you are physically dependent on the substance, you may need to stay in a hospital at first. There you can be treated for withdrawal symptoms. Medicines are often used to help control cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and prevent relapse. One of the goals of treatment is to help you reduce problems associated with substance use. This may include getting used to life without the substance. Counseling can help you prepare for people or situations that might tempt you to start using again. You can practice these skills through one-on-one counseling, family therapy, or group therapy. Therapy may be part of inpatient treatment, where you stay in a treatment center. Or it may be part of outpatient treatment. This lets you fit therapy around your job or other duties. You might talk to your doctor or do an online search for local treatment programs. Another goal of treatment is to help you find ongoing support for your sober life. Many people find support by going to group meetings. Examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or SMART Recovery. This type of support can help you feel less alone and more motivated to stay sober. Or you might tell a friend or loved one that you need help. Treatment for substance use disorder usually involves one or more types of counseling, such as: With this treatment, you talk about your recovery with other people who are trying to quit. In CBT, you learn to change the thoughts and actions that make you more likely to use substances. MI or MET helps you find your reasons for quitting and build on your personal strengths to help you succeed. Couples or family therapy can help you to stop using substances, stay substance-free, and improve your relationships with your partner and family. Here are some ways to help you stay sober and prevent relapse. If you have a family member or friend who is using drugs or other substances, it may be hard to know how to help. You can't force a person into treatment. But you can talk to the person and encourage them to get treatment. Here are some ideas that you can try. Find a time when the person is not using substances, when you are both calm and not angry, and when you can speak in private. Tell the person that you are worried about their substance use and want to help. Give examples of how the person's behavior has affected you and how it made you feel. Tell the person what will happen if they refuse to get help, and be prepared to act. Stress that you aren't punishing them but that you're concerned about them, and you also want to protect yourself from any harm that their habit causes. For example, you may say that: Know ahead of time where and how to get help. Some people ask a group of people to help them talk to the person who has a substance use disorder. It's best to ask for help from a counselor or therapist who has had practice in group interventions. Current as of: November 15, 2023 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Current as of: November 15, 2023 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review Board This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com. © 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.Substance Use Disorder
Condition Basics
What is substance use disorder?
What drugs can lead to substance use disorder?
What are the symptoms?
How is it diagnosed?
How is substance use disorder treated?
Health Tools
What Increases Your Risk?
Genetic and health risk factors
Social and other risk factors
Symptoms
Behavior changes and physical signs of substance use
Symptoms of withdrawal
What Happens
Learn more
When to Call a Doctor
Watchful waiting
Exams and Tests
Diagnosing substance use disorder
Checking for a dual diagnosis
Learn more
Treatment Overview
Learn more
Counseling
Learn more
Staying Sober After Treatment
Preventing a relapse
Learn more
Giving Support
Learn more
Related Information
Credits
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein. Current as of: November 15, 2023 Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff Clinical Review BoardSubstance Use Disorder
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.