Understanding Alcohol & Drug Addiction

Learn About Alcohol & Drug Addiction & Abuse

Substance abuse involves the intentional misuse of a wide variety of legal and illegal mind-altering substances, including, but not limited to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and prescription medications. The term substance abuse may be applied to one-time occurrences, such as drinking alcohol past the point of intoxication, but it is more typically employed to describe an ongoing behavior pattern. Individuals who engage in substance abuse place themselves in jeopardy of experiencing several immediate and long-term negative effects, including cognitive impairments, injury, health damage, addiction, and even death. Depending upon the type of substance that a person abuses, he or she can become addicted with stunning rapidity. For example, with certain drugs, it is not unheard of for addiction to develop after an individual’s initial use.

When a person becomes addicted to a substance, which is known clinically as developing a substance use disorder, the risks to his or her mental and physical health increase significantly. Substance use disorders are characterized by a loss of control over the amount and frequency of one’s substance abuse, and can also involve painful withdrawal symptoms if the individual attempts to stop.

Statistics

Substance Abuse Statistics

According to data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, or NIDA, the prevalence of lifetime substance abuse in the United States may be as high as 90%, with alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications being the three most commonly abused substances. NIDA also estimates that substance abuse costs the U.S. economy about $700 billion every year due to crime, lost productivity, and healthcare expenses. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, estimates that more than 20 million Americans are currently struggling with a substance use disorder; however, SAMHSA also reports that fewer than 2 out of 10 addicted individuals are likely to get professional help for their substance abuse problems.

Causes & Risks

Causes and Risk Factors for Substance Abuse

The likelihood that an individual will engage in substance abuse or develop a substance use disorder may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the following:

Genetic: Individuals who have a family history of substance abuse and addiction are at an increased risk for experiencing similar problems. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), impulsivity and novelty seeking are among the heritable traits that can increase an individual’s risk for substance abuse and chemical dependency. The APA also estimates that as much as 60% of the risk variance for developing certain substance use disorders may be due to genetic factors.

Environmental: Cultural attitudes about substance abuse can be strong environmental influences on a person’s risk for developing a substance abuse problem. Other environmental factors that can influence a person’s risk for substance abuse and substance use disorders include stress, poverty, trauma, and associating with peers who engage in substance abuse.

Risk Factors:

Age (early exposure to substance abuse raises the risk of addiction later in life)
Gender (men are slightly more likely than women to become addicted)
Family history of mental illness
Family history of substance abuse
Personal history of mental illness
Prior substance abuse
History of child abuse
Trauma
Early aggressiveness
Easy access to substances of abuse
Impulsivity
Novelty seeking

Signs & Symptoms

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

The following are among the more common signs and symptoms that may indicate substance abuse or the presence of a substance use disorder:

Behavioral symptoms:

Unexplained absences from school or work
Failing to meet personal, professional, and academic responsibilities
Devoting significant time to acquiring, using, and recovering from substances
Using substances even when it is clearly dangerous to do so, such as prior to operating a motor vehicle
Trying and failing to end one’s pattern of substance abuse
Secrecy regarding one’s whereabouts, actions, and associates
Possessing pipes, syringes, and other drug paraphernalia
Loss of interest in significant activities

Physical symptoms:

Slurring speech
Pupillary dilation
Profuse perspiration
Watery or bloodshot eyes
Changes in appetite
Changes in weight
Coordination problems
Changes in energy levels
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Frequent headaches
Frequent nosebleeds
Sores, abscesses, and other skin problems
Fatigue
Restlessness

Cognitive symptoms:

Problems with focus or concentration
Poor judgment
Memory problems
Racing thoughts
Disorientation
Confusion
Suicidal ideation

Psychosocial symptoms:

Dramatic swings in mood
Anxiety
Agitation
Depression
Withdrawal from family and friends

Lasting Effects

Effects of Substance Abuse

Individuals who fail to receive effective professional help for a problem with substance abuse face a variety of negative effects and outcomes, including the following:

Damage to brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver
Physical injury due accidents while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
Vision damage
Exposure to hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, and other blood-borne diseases
Co-occurring mental health disorders
Increased risk for certain cancers
Substandard academic performance
Substandard occupational performance
Job loss and unemployment
Family discord
Marital strife
Strained or ruined interpersonal relationships
Financial difficulties
Arrest and incarceration
Social isolation
Homelessness
Suicidal ideation and attempts

Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders

Individuals who engage in substance abuse may also be at increased risk for the following co-occurring disorders:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depressive disorders
Anxiety disorders
Eating disorders
Antisocial personality disorder
Bipolar disorders
Schizophrenia

Withdrawal & Overdose

Effects of Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal & Overdose

Effects of substance abuse withdrawal: Attempting to end one’s substance abuse after one has become addicted can trigger several painful and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, including the following:

Powerful cravings for the substance
Severe cramping
Muscle and bone pain
Tics, twitches, and tremors
Seizure
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Powerful nightmares
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Profuse sweating
Watery eyes and runny nose
Loss of appetite
Agitation
Irritability
Anxiety
Depression
Paranoia

Effects of substance abuse overdose: If a person ingests substances of abuse in an amount or potency that exceeds his or her body’s ability to process, he or she may be in grave danger. A person who exhibits the following signs may have overdosed, and should be brought to the immediate attention of a qualified healthcare provider: