Addiction/Substance Use Disorder
Addiction/Substance Use is a mental health condition that impacts people in so many different ways. A substance completely takes over your life. It changes the wiring of your brain to feel good, feel better, and do better.
Being able to admit that you’re struggling with some kind of addiction is one of the hardest things a person can do. And, unfortunately, the recovery process for addiction isn’t easy. It takes a lot of self-discipline and willpower to be able to stay sober, but it is possible.
What can you be addicted to?
Addictive disorders are caused by a certain set of substances:
Alcohol
Caffeine
Marijuana
Hallucinogens (PCP or LSD)
Inhalants (glue, paint thinner)
Opioids (prescribed painkillers, heroin)
Sedatives, hypnotics (sleeping pills), anxiolytics (Xanax or Valium)
Stimulants (meth, amphetamines, cocaine)
Tobacco
Other (unknown or emerging drugs like K2 or bath salts)
What does addiction feel like?
It’s difficult to know what is a normal amount and what is taking it to the level of substance use or an addiction. But as soon as a substance starts to have a negative impact on your life, you’re likely dealing with an addiction of some kind. Here are a few symptoms, or warning signs, of dependence or substance use:
You’re using more and more of drugs or alcohol to reach a “good feeling”
You’re trying to quit a substance, but it’s really difficult
You’re feeling like you have to drink or use drugs to feel normal (physically and emotionally)
You’re feeling withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking or using drugs (trembling, hallucinating, or sweating)
Your work/school and personal relationships are being impacted by your drug or alcohol use
What are the steps towards recovery and treatment?
Addiction and substance use treatment are completely unique to each person. You may find that abstaining and going to therapy is enough, or you may need a detox and residential treatment. Whichever treatment route you need to take, make sure that you have everything you need to make this a long-lasting change in your life.
TALK ABOUT IT
For addiction and substance use, a support group can be a way for you to connect with other individuals going through similar experiences. There are support groups (in-person or virtual) that meet on a regular basis in order to help you feel less alone in your situation. For addiction and substance use, especially, it becomes a source of accountability and a network of people who understand what you’re going through. In any scenario, sharing can be very healing, and you may learn from other people’s experiences, as well.
THERAPY
Therapy can be an amazing resource to help you work through your thoughts and motivations for addictive behaviors. It can help you not only learn coping strategies for difficult situations but also allow space for you to discuss how addiction/substance use continues to impact your life. If you think that the cost of therapy won’t fit with your budget, here are five out-of-the-box ways to work therapy into your life.
REHAB
There are two types of rehab: inpatient and outpatient. For someone that’s struggling with another mental illness on top of addiction or if you’re battling chronic addiction, in-patient rehab is probably going to help the most. You usually live in a substance-free facility, and receive 24/7 medical care and therapy services. For outpatient therapy, you can continue to work and live at home during the recovery process, but you’ll likely still get all of the same treatments and therapies. This is perfect if you have a mild form of addiction.
A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
While a healthy lifestyle doesn’t make the difficulties of addiction go away, it can definitely help the recovery process in the long term. Eating a healthy diet, drinking more water, exercising regularly, and getting a good night’s rest can help, more than you may realize. Just general lifestyle changes can be a really powerful tool to help take time for yourself and improve your overall well-being.
MEDICATION
Sometimes, none of the above can help you recover from addiction or substance use in certain situations — and that’s ok! Medication might be the most successful way to support your recovery if that’s the case. It can be an incredibly helpful tool to prevent withdrawal symptoms, treat co-occurring disorders, or reduce cravings. Your doctor can help you decide if medication is the best route for you and what medication will help you in the most efficient way.
CHECK IN WITH THE REST OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
For a lot of people struggling with addiction and substance use, alcohol or drug use has been a coping mechanism for other stress, pain, or mental health conditions. As you’re in the treatment and recovery process, you may want to talk to your doctor about any anxiety, depression, or whatever it may be that’s negatively impacting your mental health.
Take a free mental health screen
A mental health screen is a simple series of questions to help you check in on your mental health. Mental Health America’s online screening tool is free, confidential, and available 24/7. Your results aren’t a diagnosis, but they’re a great place to start and a baseline to figure out the next steps. We encourage you to share them with your doctor so they can help you get any support you may need.
Other Resources
Mental Health America - Addiction Information & Screening
Start Your Recovery
National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA)
301-443-1124
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
301-443-3860
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
877-726-4727