Substance Use Disorders: Types, Symptoms, and Treatments

A person addicted to opioids — or any substance — is much more likely to recover if the family doesn’t ignore the issue. If you think your loved one may be addicted to opioids, talk with their healthcare professional right away. Prescription drug abuse is the use of a prescription medicine in a way not intended by the prescriber. Prescription drug abuse, also called prescription signs of drug use drug misuse, includes everything from taking a friend’s prescription painkiller for your backache to snorting or injecting ground-up pills to get high. Prescription drug abuse may become ongoing and compulsive, despite the negative consequences. Opioids include legal prescription medications such as hydrocodone, oxycontin, and fentanyl, as well as illegal drugs such as heroin.

Drug addiction (substance use disorder)

One of the brain areas still maturing during adolescence is the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain that allows people to assess situations, make sound decisions, and keep emotions and desires under control. The fact that this critical part of a teen’s brain is still a work in progress puts them at increased risk for trying drugs or continuing to take them. Introducing drugs during this period of development may cause brain changes that have profound and long-lasting consequences. The use of most substances will produce noticeable signs and symptoms. These may include physical or behavioral symptoms—most likely both.

What is the difference between substance use disorder and addiction?

In some people, marijuana can also induce paranoia, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms. It is one of the most popular recreational drugs, with states all over the US passing laws to legalize medical or recreational use of the substance. Although using this drug is becoming more culturally acceptable, it can still be dangerous to consume and result in addiction. In the US, it is legal for adults ages 21 and older to consume alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the country, and its use leads to about 88,000 deaths annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Help your senior loved one organize their medications

People who become addicted to opioids are often prescribed prescription drugs, such as painkillers, often following something like an accident or surgery. They can then start taking higher doses of those prescription drugs, which can lead to abuse. Overall, 75% of heroin users report that the first opioid they took was a prescription drug. Of the behavioral signs of drug abuse, secretive behavior may be one of the most common and telling. Someone who struggles with addiction may become increasingly withdrawn from loved ones and often seeks privacy to obtain or use drugs.

What’s the difference between substance use/misuse and substance use disorder?

When someone misuses drugs or alcohol, they may look and act in uncharacteristic ways. Psychological signs of drug abuse can include changes in a person’s thought patterns, attitudes, beliefs and priorities. These CNS depressants are often prescribed to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Benzodiazepines include common medications, such as Valium and Xanax.

• They may claim to hear colors or see sounds, and in some cases, they may experience tremors.
• • Developing the unpleasant physiologic symptoms of withdrawal—shakiness, sweating, queasiness or vomiting, headache—when unable to take the substance.
• “[With] antipsychotics, people can have 10, 20, 30, 50 percent body weight gain,” he said.
• “I’m not saying people should not be on anti-psychotics or antidepressants when they need them,” he said.
• Dr. Hashmi recommends seniors consult with their doctor before using cold and allergy medications and any sleep-inducing medications.

Drug Misuse and Addiction

When to see a doctor