Substance misuse occurs when a person uses certain substances in a way that harms themselves or those around them. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a medical condition that causes uncontrolled use of certain substances despite their harmful effects.
Substance misuse can occur when a person misuses one of the following substances:
- alcohol
- illegal drugs
- certain medications
If someone continues to misuse substances over a prolonged period, they may develop SUD.
This article outlines what substance misuse is and compares it to SUD. It also discusses what the treatment options are for SUD.
Substance misuse
Substances that people can misuse tend to be psychoactive compounds that have the potential to cause health and social problems.
These substances include:
- alcohol
- cannabinoids
- depressants
- hallucinogens
- nicotine
- opioids
- stimulants
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people often begin taking drugs for the following reasons:
- to experience pleasurable feelings or feel “high” or intoxicated.
- to improve the way they are feeling by:
- relieving stress
- forgetting any problems they may have
- feeling numb
- to help improve their performance or the way they think
- out of curiosity or due to peer pressure.
Substance misuse can cause a number of health and social problems, such as:
- arrests for driving under the influence
- automobile crashes
- intimate partner and sexual violence
- child abuse and neglect
- suicidal thoughts
- fatalities
- stroke
- overdose
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
One serious risk of substance misuse is that if a person carries out prolonged, repeated use of these substances, they may develop SUD.
SUD is a condition that causes a person to develop uncontrolled use of certain substances. This use continues despite the harmful effects on their life and health.
Long-term exposure to substances
The effects of SUD can vary significantly. However, the early stages of SUD often cause someone to experience:
- Positive reinforcement when using the substance: This causes the person to experience a sense of well-being or euphoria when they use the substance.
- Negative reinforcement when not using the substance: This causes the individual to experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when they are not using the substance.
SUD can affect a person’s:
- health
- social life
- academic performance
- occupational life
These effects occur due to the intoxication that substance use causes and the physical and psychological dependence that the person develops.
SUD can cause changes to the brain’s structure and function, which can cause a person to develop:
- intense cravings
- distorted thinking
- atypical behaviors
- changes in personality
- atypical movements
If a person believes they or someone they know has developed SUD, they should contact a healthcare or mental health professional.
Substance misuse and SUD are different.
SUD is a
If a person continually engages in substance misuse over a prolonged period and uses high doses of the substance, they may develop SUD.
SUD and substance misuse
Behavioral therapies
Behavioral therapies to help treat SUD and substance misuse include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of psychotherapy. It aims to help a person learn how to cope with certain situations by helping them change their thought patterns and behaviors.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT uses the concept of mindfulness and acceptance. It helps a person learn skills that can help them deal with intense emotions to reduce their self-destructive behaviors.
- Assertive community treatment (ACT): ACT is a form of behavioral therapy that involves a community-based approach. It is a form of mental health care that utilizes outreach to the community and a personalized treatment approach.
- Therapeutic communities (TC): TC is a form of care that aims to help a person improve their:
- values
- attitudes
- behaviors
- Contingency management (CM): CM is a method of encouraging healthy behaviors. A person can receive vouchers or rewards for exhibiting desired behaviors.
Medications
Various medications
- help control cravings
- relieve symptoms of withdrawal
- prevent relapses
Medications are a useful treatment option for many people with SUD. However, they are more effective in combination with behavioral therapies.
Substance misuse is the term for the use of certain substances that harm the person using the substances or others around them.
A person can misuse a number of substances, including alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription medications.
If someone misuses substances over a prolonged period of time, they can develop SUD.
SUD is a condition that causes someone to develop uncontrolled use of certain substances. A person with SUD will continue to misuse substances despite the harmful effects it can have on their life and health.
SUD can cause a person to develop mental and physical dependence on the substance. However, it is typically treatable with a number of behavioral therapies and medications.
