SUBSTANCE ABUSE
The repeated misuse of alcohol and/or drugs — often occur simultaneously in individuals with mental illnesses, usually to cope with overwhelming symptoms.
TOPICS AND EDUCATION
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
An individual is dependent on substances if they use an excessive amount of alcohol, pain medications, or drugs.
SYMPTOMS
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
Many people with a substance use disorder have been using substances and drinking large amounts of alcohol for a long period of time. They also have probably tried and failed to cut down their use of these substances.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
Specific treatment for someone with a substance use disorder depends on the individual and how long the issue has been going on for. It also depends on how old the person is, and if they have any medical conditions.
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
A medical professional might conduct a range of mental, physical, and genetic exams. They will also use the DSM-5 to ensure that the individual's symptoms match the criteria for that specific disorder.
Diagnosis
DSM-5 Criteria
DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Dependence:
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment of distress, as manifested by three (or more) fo the following, occurring at any time in the same 12-month period:
A) Tolerance, as defined by either of the following:
- A need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
- Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of the substance.
B) Withdrawal, as manifested by either of the following:
- The characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance.
- The same (or a closely related) substance is taken over to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.
C) The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a long period than was intended.
D) There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control substance use.
E) A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance (e.g., visiting multiple doctors or driving long distances), use the substance (e.g., chain-smoking), or recover from its effects.
F) Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
G) The substance use is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance (e.g., current cocaine use despite recognition of cocaine-induced depression, or continued drinking despite recognition that an ulcer was made worse by alcohol consumption).
Specify if:
- With physiological dependence: evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., either item A or B is present)
- Without physiological dependence: no evidence of tolerance or withdrawal (i.e., neither item A nor B is present
DSM-5 Criteria for Substance/Medication-Induced Mental Disorders:
A) The disorder represents a clinically significant symptomatic presentation of a relevant mental disorder.
B) There is evidence from the history, physical examination or laboratory findings of both of the following:
- The disorder developed during or within 1 month of a substance intoxication or withdrawal or taking a medication; and
- The involved substance/medication is capable of producing the mental disorder.
C) The disorder is not better explained by an independent mental disorder (i.e., one that is not substance- or medication-induced). Such evidence of an independent mental disorder could include the following:
- The disorder preceded the onset of severe intoxication or withdrawal or exposure to the medication; or
- The full mental disorder persisted for a substantial period of time (e.g., at least 1 month) after the cessation of acute withdrawal or severe intoxication or taking the medication. This criterion does not apply to substance-induced neurocognitive disorders or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, which persist beyond the cessation of acute intoxication or withdrawal.
D) The disorder does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.
E) The disorder causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
