Understanding Substance Use Disorder
What is substance use disorder?
Substance use disorder is an addiction where the person experiences discomfort or withdrawal symptoms when they are unable to use the substance. Their lives are dominated by getting and using substances. These can be legal or illegal. When a person is using substances in a dependent fashion, they continue to use them despite evidence that using substances is having a negative impact on their:
- Profound craving for the substance rather, than dealing with other things
- More often intoxicated, or appears to be under the influence of something
- Anxious, depressed, or shows symptoms of other mental health problems
- Unable to say ‘no’ and has a strong desire for the substance
- Using more and more of the substance to get the same effect
- Secretive and evasive
- Angry if confronted about their substance use
- Tired, irritable, and looks disheveled
- Less interested in everyday things
- Involved in criminal activity
What changes occur in a person’s behavior when they use substances excessively?
- Physical health e.g. developing infections, and liver damage from drinking.
- Psychological health e.g. depression, irritability, anger, insomnia.
- Social health e.g. poor pro-social support, limited progress in education and employment avenues.
What types of substances are there
Alcohol is the most common substance that is misused. Other than this, poppy husk has been used very commonly by individuals until recently. Other opiate drugs include opium, heroin, and some medical drugs such as tablets and cough syrups that contain codeine. Cannabis is another commonly used substance. Stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines and hallucinogens such as LSD are other drugs that are misused by younger adults.
Why do people use substances?
Many individuals start to use drugs to experiment with friends and recreationally. Some of these individuals are able to restrict their drug use to occasional use but large numbers start to experience negative feelings when they do not use the substance. Gradually the amount of substance used increases up to a point where the person becomes dependent. Once addicted, the individual has less control over their behavior and is unable to stop on their own. They require professional help, and sometimes to be admitted to the hospital for detoxification and rehabilitation. During treatment, techniques to remain well after discharge are taught and discussed.
What can family and friends of an addict do to help them?
- Get to know the addiction: Drug and alcohol abuse has alarming effects on the nervous system. Drug addiction should be viewed as a chronic disease and not a choice. However, the initial experimentation can be a decision but soon the user develops a dependence thus thinking the substance to be vital for their comfort and survival. This kind of understanding can go a long way in helping the family understand the addict and ensure proper treatment.
- Set your boundaries: Family members must abstain from helping the addict financially. It is important to understand that such action would rather escalate the addiction. Chronically addicted individuals tend to use family and friends to their advantage to sustain the addiction. The family needs to put up a brave face and set boundaries for themselves and the addict.
- Do not enable: any behavior that supports the addiction is called ‘enabling’. It can be financial help, hiding the addiction from authorities, or making excuses.
- Consider professional help at the earliest: Counselling people with drug-addicted loved ones is also of utmost importance. Dealing with a drug-addicted loved one can be a harrowing experience and thus requires a lot of patience, getting help from a psychologist in this kind of scenario can be comforting.
- Confront the addict: Although difficult, it can prove to be an important step towards recovery. Voice your concern in a way that shows concern and not blame. However, if your loved one seems indifferent to the idea of treatment then an intervention may be considered.
Best Addiction Treatment Center Ludhiana – MindPlus
At MindPlus Doraha we offer comprehensive biopsychosocial treatment for various types of drug addictions. With an experience of over two decades in this field, we are able to offer unmatched, evidence-based treatment for drug addiction. We’re well known for being the best addiction treatment center in Ludhiana. We use modern treatment modalities such as the SMART (Self-management and recovery training) philosophy – based on CBT in addiction. Besides the long-term residential treatment wherein, we focus on resocialization we also provide outpatient drug treatment depending on the patient’s needs.
The treatment is started with a drug detox and medically managed withdrawal. But, detoxification alone does not resolve the psychological, social, and behavioral issues associated with drug addiction. Therefore it is followed by a formal assessment and drug addiction treatment. We use the latest medication to ensure no discomfort during treatment and the best chances of remaining well post-discharge. We, therefore, are the best addiction treatment center in Ludhiana with the help of our able clinical team, consisting of psychiatrists and psychologists who have had extensive national and international training and experience.
With our comprehensive treatment, we ensure that we provide an individual with the best possible chance of developing the type of insight, motivation, and ability to manage themselves in such a way that has perhaps not happened before, ensuring long-term recovery, productivity, and success in life.
Case Study on Substance Use Disorder
I didn’t even know I was addicted. Until I tried to stop.
Drug Dependence: At the root of all, addiction is the pain
Mr. Sanju is a 32-year-old married male from Himachal Pradesh who was brought to the clinic by his family. He is a Lawyer by profession.
Sanju’s family reported that he started consuming heroin when he was 25 years old. Since then his quantity has increased and during the time of admission, he was taking 2.5-3gms/day. In past, one year family has seen increased irritability and aggressive behavior towards them, disturbances in sleep and appetite, severe withdrawal, severe craving, and use of injectables. He also had a history of ADHD.
Mr. Sanju was not motivated to leave drugs and never felt the need for treatment. The initial few weeks of the treatment were spent educating him about drug dependence and doing Motivation enhancement therapy. Towards the end of the month, his involvement in the treatment became better. Relapse Prevention Counseling and 12 step program for narcotics anonymous were initiated with him.
During the last phase of treatment home visits and exposure outings were done which yielded productive results. A patient was able to apply his learning in his outings. Now for the past 1.5 years, he is maintaining abstinence and has been coming for regular follow-ups. In fact, MindPlus has well-trained professionals in this field and it is one of the well-known and best de-addiction center in Ludhiana(Punjab). If you feel any symptoms in your near one you can contact us.
