Substance Use Disorder

What is a substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental health disorder characterized by an addiction to harmful substances, such as:

• Alcohol
• Tobacco
• Opioids
• Cocaine
• Cannabis
• Methamphetamines
• Other drugs

Alcohol use disorder is the most prevalent in the US. 

SUD affects how your brain functions over time, making it difficult to stop using addictive substances despite wanting to or knowing they’re causing harm. Treatment at Aspire Behavioral Health LLC helps you find long-lasting sobriety.

Which symptoms can substance use disorders cause?

Symptoms of substance use disorder may include:

• Needing more of a substance to gain the same effects
• Unable to stop using a substance
• Being drunk or high
• Strong desire to use harmful substances
• Risky behaviors
• Withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit

Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, and mood changes.

SUD symptoms can be mild to severe and life-threatening. They may negatively affect your interpersonal relationships, education, jobs, finances, health, and well-being. 

What are substance use disorder risk factors?

Substance use disorder risk factors include:

• Trying highly addictive substances
• Using harmful substances at a young age
• Easy access to addictive substances
• Family history of substance use disorder
• Social pressure
• Ongoing stress, anxiety, or depression
• Adverse childhood experiences

Genetic susceptibility and lifestyle factors may play roles in SUD development.

How are substance use disorders diagnosed?

Demetria meets you in person or virtually to screen for substance use disorder and other mental health concerns. 

She uses DSM-5 criteria to discuss your behaviors, thoughts, moods, emotions, and lifestyle, and provides a diagnosis to guide treatment recommendations, allowing you to break free from an addiction and negative symptoms that often accompany it. 

How are substance use disorders treated?

Your personalized SUD treatment plan may consist of lifestyle changes, therapy, and medication management. Demetria offers cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), family therapy, and many other forms of therapy. She can refer you to an inpatient treatment program.

Taking medication helps decrease withdrawal symptoms when you quit and control cravings for harmful substances.

It’s helpful to eat a balanced diet, manage stress, stay active, and get plenty of sleep. Maintain a social support network and avoid substance misuse triggers. Follow up to help you remain substance-free and rediscover a sense of confidence, calm, and joy.

Visit Demetria at Aspire Behavioral Health LLC for substance use disorder treatment. Call the office or book an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.