Diagnosis and Treatment for Substance Abuse Disorder

Diagnosis of Substance Abuse Disorder

A psychiatrist or a psychologist does the assessment of the condition when a person seeks help in a hospital. A licensed alcohol and drug counselor can also help.

Blood, urine and other lab tests may not be used for diagnosis of substance abuse disorder, but can help in determining the extent of the problem and monitoring the treatment and recovery.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria for substance use disorder lists a behavior pattern of drug use, which can be used to diagnose a person with substance-use disorder.

Increase in the dose of drug to obtain the same “high” feeling.
Trying to cut down or quit causes distress and withdrawal symptoms.
All the time is spent on obtaining the drug, using it and recovering from its effects.
The urge to consume the drug is the only priority and blocks other thoughts.
Not taking up obligations and regular responsibilities because of the drug use.
Continued use of the drug, despite knowing that it is causing problems in life.
Using the substances even if unsafe in situations like driving or operating machines.
Tolerance is developed. Same dose of drug does not give you the “high”.
Cuts back important social, recreational and occupational activities and attend to the needs of the drug.
Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms when the effect of the drug wears off and timely dosage is not taken.

If at least two of these issues occur within a period of one year, the person can be diagnosed with substance-use disorder.

Examples and effects of Substance-Abuse

	Caffeine (when consumed in large quantities)	Nicotine/Tobacco	Alcohol
Origin	Coffee plant	Tobacco plant	Various sources like grape juice fermentation
Available as	Coffee Tea Cocoa seeds and chocolates	Cigarettes Tobacco	Wine Beer Other intoxicating drinks
How it is consumed	As beverage	Smoked Chewed Snorted	As beverage
Immediate effects	Increased energy	Pleasure Improved performance Relief of depression	Lessens your inhibitions Slurs speech Decreases muscle control
Harmful effects	High blood pressure Incontinence Insomnia Peptic ulcers Worsens menopause symptoms	Heart disease Lung cancer Emphysema Peptic ulcer disease	Liver damage Heart enlargement Delirium tremens Cancer of pancreas, stomach and esophagus Cause of road accidents
Withdrawal symptoms	Sleepiness and lethargy Irritability Constipation Muscle pain and stiffness Panic attacks	Hunger Sleep disturbances Anxiety/Depression	Anxiety Irregular heartbeat Tremor and seizures Hallucinations

	Cocaine	Methamphetamines	Marijuana	Heroin
Origin	Coca plant	Synthesized drugs	Cannabis sativa	Synthetic or Man-made opioid
Common names	Coke Crack Snow Blow Rock	Meth Crank Ice Speed Crystal	Grass Pot Weed Herb	Dope Smack Horse
How it is consumed	Injected Snorted Swallowed	Snorting Smoked Eaten	Inhaled Smoked Eaten	Injection
Immediate effects	Pleasure Increased alertness	Increased alertness Decreased appetite Pleasure	Pleasure Relaxation Impaired coordination and memory	Drowsiness Pleasure Slowed breathing
Harmful effects	Paranoia Constriction of blood vessels Heart damage	Heart attack High Blood pressure Stroke Hallucinations Destruction of teeth Weight loss	Lung irritation Risk of using more dangerous drugs Delirium Stroke	Infections due to dirty needles causes tetanus, botulism, HIV
Withdrawal symptoms	Depression Reduced energy		Anxiety Depression Diarrhea	Vomiting Abdominal cramps Diarrhea Confusion Aches Sweating

Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

Treatment for substance use disorder consists of two aspects – Residential substance abuse treatment and recovery from substance use disorder.

Outpatient treatment programs may involve individual and group counseling and prescription drugs for the withdrawal symptoms. The length of the treatment session can vary from one hour to intensive whole-day care. However, it must be noted that outpatient substance abuse treatment programs may be of low-intensity and depend a lot on how the person with substance abuse disorder is able to cooperate in the treatment program.

Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment involves admitting the person with substance abuse disorder to a drug rehabilitation center so that intensive therapy and tools can be administered to overcome alcohol or drug addiction. Residential substance abuse treatment centers give the affected person an opportunity to live with other people who are facing the same problem.

The residential drug addiction treatment programs vary in different kinds of set up. Some programs allow visitors, some are short programs and some a stay for a few months. The treatment program also varies according to the person who has substance abuse disorder.

Advantages of inpatient care:

The substance user is under supervision all the time.
Non-availability and non-accessibility to the drug of abuse.
All kinds of distractions are removed.
The person lives with other such drug users and can motivate others and also learn coping mechanisms from others.

Substance Abuse Recovery

Recovery from drugs varies from person to person. Some common steps taken by the substance users who are trying to recover along with the support of the family and friends can help in overcoming the disorder.

Decide to make a change in the substance use habits:

Keep track of the drug that you use in terms of frequency and quantity of use.
List the pros and cons of quitting the use of substance and how it can get you back to your old life.
Prioritize other things in your life – family, children, career, studies, hobbies, travel, etc.
Tell your friends and family about your decision to quit and ask for support.

Find out the treatment options available:

Look out for personalized treatment program.
Commit to your program and follow it with the help of your family and friends.
Take a class, join a club or conduct informal gatherings to be around with people.

Look up and learn healthy ways to cope up with stress that brought you to these substances:

Stress relief can be found in various ways other than alcohol or drugs.
Take up hobbies, meditation, relaxation and yoga for stress.
Fitness classes can help relieve stress with the release of natural hormones called endorphins.