Substance use disorder, on the other hand, is the collection of behavioral, mental, emotional, and physiological symptoms that occur when someone continues to use substances despite negative consequences. To maintain long-term recovery from drug addiction, you need to establish a support network, engage in therapy, and implement effective strategies that reinforce your commitment to sobriety. For instance, stimulants like cocaine increase dopamine levels quickly, which significantly affects the brain’s reward system, reinforcing drug use as a pleasurable habit.
How is substance use disorder treated?
Irritability, agitation, restlessness, and sleep disruption are common withdrawal symptoms for many drugs as are muscle cramps, headaches, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Drug cravings can be fierce, and fear of withdrawal symptoms often drives continued drug use. Psychological dependence is a term sometimes used to indicate the mental processes of addiction, but it has no real meaning given current understanding of the way the brain works. There is https://ecosober.com/ no real difference between physical addiction and psychological addiction. Addiction is one of those conditions that demonstrates it is not possible to distinguish between physical and psychological aspects of behavior.
Stimulant use disorder
The severity of addiction is only partially related to the amount of Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder): Symptoms and Treatment substance a person uses. The difference between mild and severe addiction is the number of the 11 DSM addiction criteria a person meets. The criteria relate to ability to control use, the negative impact use has on self and life, and the existence of physiological dependence.
- Cravings, or deep desire for a substance, arise from alterations in reactivity patterns of nerves in the brain’s reward center.
- People with a tendency to become addicted to one substance also have a tendency to become addicted to others.
- It’s a complex condition that develops over time, shaped by a mix of biology, environment, mental health, and brain chemistry.
- Recovery, however, is often a long-term process that may involve multiple attempts.
Effects of Drug Addiction on the Body
It’s common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s Alcoholics Anonymous changing needs. If you’re not ready to approach a health care provider or mental health professional, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment.