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Substance Abuse
What is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is the use of any substance for mood-altering, habitual purposes, or illicit purposes. Medline's medical encyclopedia defines drug abuse as "the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed." Such definitions in today's society are not that simple. For instance, there are drugs that can be abused that have no mood-altering or "habitual" properties, such as anabolic steroids. However, when most people talk about substance abuse, they are referring to the use of illegal drugs.
Substance Abuse and Dual Diagnosis
Medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or neuroleptics, may be critical for treatment success when patients have co-occurring mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. (See "Dual Diagnosis" for more on this).
Treatment for Substance Abuse
Treatment for substance abuse is designed to assist individuals, physicians, therapists and family members to determine to what degree a client has a substance abuse problem, and what treatment, if any, would be clinically appropriate. There are many addictive drugs, and treatments for specific drugs can differ. Treatment also varies depending on the characteristics of the patient.
Problems associated with an individual's drug addiction can vary significantly. People who are addicted to drugs come from all walks of life. There is a common misconception that substance abuse is limited to individuals in lower socioeconomic levels, however, even executives and celebrities have been found to need help in confronting their addictions in a private and exclusive manner.
A variety of scientifically based approaches to drug addiction treatment exist. Drug addiction treatment can include behavioral therapy (such as counseling, cognitive therapy, or psychotherapy), medications, or their combination. Behavioral therapies offer people strategies for coping with their drug cravings, teach them ways to avoid drugs and prevent relapse, and help them deal with relapse if it occurs.
The most exclusive programs provide a combination of therapies and other services to meet the needs of the individual patient. Treatment medications, such as methadone, LAAM, and naltrexone, are available for individuals addicted to opiates. Nicotine preparations and bupropion are available for individuals addicted to nicotine.
Treatment can occur in a variety of settings, in many different forms, and for different lengths of time. Because drug addiction is typically a chronic disorder characterized by occasional relapses, a short-term, one-time treatment often is not sufficient. For many, treatment is a long-term process that involves multiple interventions and attempts at abstinence.
If you or a loved one are having a difficult time with alcohol, drugs, or behavior disorders, please give us a call at 888.484.3727. Our treatment specialists are available to discuss your concerns and answer your questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.