SUBSTANCE-RELATED AND ADDICTIVE DISORDERS

OVERVIEW

Some of the many addictive substances are namely, cannabis, sedative/tranquilizer, cocaine, amphetamine, club drug, hallucinogen, heroin, non-heroin opioid, and solvent.

Various drugs that are taken in excessive quantity, what they do are the direct activation of the brain reward system, related to behavior reinforcement and memory production.

Ten separate types of drugs are counted under the heading of substance-related disorders: cannabis; alcohol; hallucinogens; caffeine; sedatives; anxiolytics; inhalants; opioids; and hypnotics, stimulants (i.e. cocaine, amphetamine-type substances, and other stimulants); tobacco; and some such substances. These ten divisions are distinct from each other. The intense reward system activated by these may result in the negligence of normal activities. Despite this, the various drugs of abuse aids in activating the reward pathways. The drugs have different means of their origin and manufacturing, but typically these activate the system and produce a pleasurable feeling, usually known as a ”high.”

Also, people with lesser self-control may tend to reflect brain inhibitory mechanisms impairment. Some studies suggest that at times much before the onset of actual substance use itself, some people do reflect signs of it in their behaviors.

SYMPTOMS

The psychological changes which are associated with intoxication are attributable to the bodily effects of the substance on the brain (central nervous system)

The symptoms cannot be explained by any other mental disorder.

The various effects caused due to intoxication involve, judgment, thinking, psychomotor behavior disturbances of perception, attention, and interpersonal behavior.

Short-term, or “acute,” intoxications are termed as “chronic,” intoxications.

PREVALENCE

Among the various existing drugs, relatively the higher potential is carried by short-acting substances and vice versa. However, it is observed that longer-acting substances take a longer time for withdrawal duration.

Drug use disorders (DUDs) are associated with high risk for being suicidal, decreased quality of life, etc.

Substance intoxication usually involves numerous substances, which are used simultaneously or sequentially. In such cases, every diagnosis has to be recorded individually.

GENDER DIFFERENCES

Usually, various illicit drugs are consumed more by men as compared to women, the overdose of which lands a person into the emergency departments also may be a reason for their death.

“Illicit” word is used here to refer to the consumption or intake of illegal drugs, which includes marijuana. Among people in all age groups, men have higher chances of dependence on illicit drugs and alcohol, as compared to women. However, in the case of women, there are more chances of relapse, one among the key phases of the addiction cycle.

Many types of research reveal that various drugs act differently on men and women, in terms of their body’s response towards it, inability to find child care, etc.

CATEGORIZATION

Substance-related disorders are classified as, substance use disorders and substance-induced disorders.

• Substance use disorder

The key feature of a substance use disorder is the occurrence of various behavioral, cognitive, and physiological symptoms. In such cases, the individual is unable to discontinue the substance dependence, despite the occurrence of several substance-related bodily issues.

At times in some cases, the symptoms are less salient, while for others not all symptoms apply. In individuals with severe disorders, one among the various alterations they face is the change in the brain circuits, which may continue to persist even after the procedure of detoxification is carried out.

• Substance-induced disorder

The various features of substance-induced disorders include withdrawal, intoxication, and other substance-induced psychological disorders (e.g., psychotic disorder, bipolar, depressive disorder and related disorders, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, sexual dysfunctions).

People affected with substance use disorder, have a comparatively higher risk of substance intoxication. Some common changes in intoxication involve variations in perception, thinking, judgment, attention, and psychomotor behavior. “Acute,” intoxications may have different signs and symptoms as compared to “chronic,” intoxications.

WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR

Drug addiction is mostly incurable but, certain treatments may help curb the situations. Also, long-term, follow-up sessions helps to prevent relapse.

Chemical or drug-use dependence treatment programs

Individual, or family therapy

Understanding the basic nature of addiction

For outpatient or inpatients, the care and settings or arrangements may vary

Detoxification

The process of detoxification, or withdrawal therapy, helps us in getting away from the unsafe of such substances in a safer manner. Being an outpatient, it comparatively becomes simplified to get treated as compared to the inpatients.

Withdrawal from the dependency on various drugs like, depressants, opioids, or stimulants, require different approaches and have varying side effects. The detoxification process involves a gradual reduction in the dosage of the drug or some substance substitution. Substitutes may include a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, methadone, buprenorphine, etc.

Opioid overdose

In the case of opioid overdose, naloxone can be given to them as it temporarily reverses the effects of the drugs. Immediate medical care is required after using naloxone.

Behavior therapy

Behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can be performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Therapy and counseling can also be of some help to an individual, a family, or a group. The therapist can:

Help us with ways to cope with the drug cravings

Suggests on how to deal, in case of a relapse

Talk about various issues relating to a job, relationships with family, legal problems

Developing better communication skills

CAUSES

A person’s genetics, peer pressure, emotional distress, the action of the drugs, and environmental factors can all be the causes leading to a person getting a substance addict.

Several causal factors can be considered in such cases:-

• Genetic predisposition
• Childhood trauma(s)
• Peer pressure
• Past mental illness
• The poor social support structure

SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS

Substance abuse can severely affect a person physically and mentally, along with the social relationships, family, work, etc. set up at stake.

• Damage to the body, i.e. the heart, liver, and brain
• High chances of heart stroke, cancer
• Hormonal and nervous alterations
• Personal relationships getting affected
• Legal issues
• Accompaniment of various other mental health issues

COMPLICATIONS

A person addicted to drugs or alcohol may exhibit various evident signs. Despite the difficulty in spotting outward signs, certain behaviors can also indicate drug abuse patterns.

• Less involvement in certain activities
• Faces difficulty in managing responsibilities
• Relationships at stake
• A lot of time spent in dealing with its aftereffects
• Inability to change the behavior (patterns)
• In the case of psychological problems:-
• Slurred speech, clumsiness
• Altered heart rate
• Trembling sensations
• Increased irritability, agitation, and paranoia
• Bloodshot eyes (in some cases)
• Seizures symptoms
• Hallucinations
• Distractions
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Misbalanced hygiene
• Slowed breathing patterns

DIAGNOSIS

Often, people with mental issues try to manage them on their own by using drugs or alcohol. An example of this is can be the consumption of alcohol so as to manage depression.

While mental health issues are not always related to substance abuse, but the correlation is strong enough. As a matter of fact, researches show that a lot of people, who have had a substance dependency in their lifetime, also faced some form of mental health disorder at a certain point.

Because of such reasons, early diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders are important.

TREATMENT / THERAPY

We can try to curb the onset of drug or substance dependency disorders, using the following mentioned methods:-

• The 12-Step program
• Other inpatient facilities
• Outpatient clinics
• Rehabilitation programs
• Employee assistance programs
• Health care professional
• Detoxification methods
• Emergency department(s)

Check out some Rehab Centers

COPING MECHANISMS

There are identified indications that the intake or usage or dependency of substances of abuse, can have psychiatric side effects. Psychological disorder(s) is/are likely to lead to an adverse situation, of the preexisting independent syndrome.

The risk relating substance dependence followed by mental disorder(s) is/are likely to spike, both the qualitatively and the quantity of substance used.

The substance-dependent psychological disorders are an integral part of the differential diagnoses specifying the underlying psychiatric conditions.

Early identification or diagnosis of the upcoming disastrous mental health issues can help curb many significant negative changes that can alter the life of the addict or the dependent.

Thus, symptoms of substance dependence and medication-induced psychological disorders may be similar in a cross-sectional way, to those of independent mental disorders.