Do you have an addiction? It can be a difficult question to answer, but now is the time to ask if you suspect you might be struggling to control your drug or alcohol use. Recognizing that your health and mental well-being are impacted by a substance use disorder (SUD) can help you start on the path to recovery.
What Is a Substance Use Disorder?
A substance use disorder is a condition in which the brain has been altered due to the use of some type of substance. As a result, a person’s behavior changes. Those with an SUD are often unable to make decisions to control or eliminate their use of an addictive substance, such as alcohol, prescription painkillers, or illegal drugs.
The National Institute on Mental Health makes it clear: SUDs are diseases that cannot be cured but can be effectively treated.
Substance Use Disorder Statistics
Substance abuse disorder statistics showcase just how common this condition is and how impactful it can be to lives. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics shares the following key findings:
- 700,000 people have died in the U.S. as a result of drug overdose since 2000.
- Half of all people over the age of 12 have used some type of illicit drug in their lifetime.
- About 23 million Americans have an alcohol use disorder.
- About 25% of all people who use illicit drugs have a drug disorder.
- 9.5 million adults in the U.S. – about 3.8% of all people over the age of 18 – have a substance abuse disorder and a mental illness.
How Do Substance Use Disorders Develop?
SUDs form over time from consistent use of alcohol and/or an addictive drug. These substances train the brain to crave them because of the powerful effects they create. Since the brain is programmed to seek out anything that feels good or that stimulates dopamine production, it starts to prioritize those substances.
Over time, your body becomes tolerant of the substance, meaning that it requires more of it to feel the same results. Tolerance leads to a higher risk of overdose and the onset of SUD.
Many people also face dependence, a condition in which they cannot stop using the substance no matter how much they desire to because of the intense withdrawal symptoms that arise. If you are dependent on substances, professional drug and alcohol treatment in Chester, VA, can offer you a way forward.
What Causes Substance Use Disorder?
SUDs can happen to anyone with consistent substance use. Certain factors, however, can predispose a person to developing an SUD.
- Genetics: Having a parent who has an SUD makes it more likely for you to engage in the same behavior. Even so, genetics alone doesn’t cause an SUD. If you know you have addiction in your family, you can choose to abstain from substances and avoid going down the same path.
- Stress: Many people face a high amount of stress on a consistent basis. That leads to uncontrollable thoughts and negative emotions, creating a much higher risk for SUD.
- Mental health disorders: A large percentage of people with SUD also struggle with mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and trauma. Substances are often used as a coping mechanism.
- Environmental factors: Early exposure to substances makes it more likely that someone will continue to use substances throughout their lifetime, often developing addiction.
- Chronic pain: For some people, having chronic pain from an injury or illness can develop into reliance on painkillers. That can lead to addiction and dependency.
It is not fully understood why some people develop an SUD while others do not, even if they use the same substance over time. However, anyone can develop an SUD, and oftentimes, the symptoms can be hidden for years.
What to Do If You May Have an SUD
If you are experiencing the symptoms of addiction, do not wait to get help. Reach out to our team at Iron Bridge Recovery Center to learn more about the treatment strategies we offer – including both medical detox and residential treatment.
When you set up a consultation with our team, we will help you go over the signs of addiction, discuss your mental health, and work to better understand your medical history. Our team is designed to offer you a supportive environment.
Perhaps one of the most important aspects to remember about SUD is that it is a disease, much like any other disease, that requires proper, professional care. Let our team at Iron Bridge Recovery Center offer you the support you need to recover. Contact us now to learn how.
