Substance Use Disorder1
Substance Use Disorder1
Substance Use Disorder1
INTRODUCTION
consequences. People with SUD have an intense focus on using a certain substance(s) such as
alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, to the point where the person's ability to function in day-to-day
life becomes impaired. People keep using the substance even when they know it is causing or
will cause problems. The most severe SUDs are sometimes called addictions. People with a
substance use disorder may have distorted thinking and behaviors. Changes in the brain's
structure and function are what cause people to have intense cravings, changes in personality,
abnormal movements, and other behaviors. When someone has a substance use disorder, they
usually build up a tolerance to the substance, meaning they need larger amounts to feel the
effects. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people begin taking drugs for a
feel better — relieve stress, forget problems, or feel numb. To do better — improve performance
or thinking. Curiosity and peer pressure or experimenting. People with substance use and
behavioral addictions may be aware of their problem but not be able to stop even if they want
and try to. The addiction may cause physical and psychological problems as well as interpersonal
substance-induced disorders:
the use of 10 separate classes of drugs; Alcohol, Caffeine, Cannabis, Hallucinogens, Inhalants,
substances, cocaine, and other stimulants) and Tobacco. are patterns of symptoms resulting from
the use of a substance that people continue to take, despite experiencing problems as a result. Its
essential features are a cluster of cognitive, behavioral and physiological symptoms indicating
that an individual continues using the substances despite significant substance-related problems.
These substances can be prescription and non-medical drugs. The specific manifestations and
substance use, called intoxication; and the immediate effects of discontinuing a substance, called
substance withdrawal.
Substance Intoxication occurs when a person develops a reversible set of symptoms due to the
recent use of (or exposure to) a substance. Symptoms of substance intoxication will vary
according the substance. Intoxication occurs because chemical substances (such as drugs)
directly affect the central nervous system. This leads to behavioral and/or psychological effects.
Substance intoxication applies to all classes of drugs except tobacco. Typically, clinicians
diagnose substance intoxication when someone arrives in an emergency room under the
Substance withdrawal is diagnosed based upon the behavioral, physical, and cognitive
symptoms that occur due to the abrupt reduction or cessation of substance use. Like substance
intoxication, these symptoms vary according to each specific substance. Symptoms of mood,
anxiety, and psychotic disorders may all be induced as a result of alcohol and other drug use or
withdrawal. For example, alcohol use and withdrawal can induce symptoms of depression or
intoxication with amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, LSD, or PCP . Other disorders that may
result from alcohol use include substance-induced delirium, amnestic disorder, dementia, sexual
Substance use disorders generally involve behavior patterns in which people continue to use a
substance (for example, a recreational drug) despite having problems caused by its use.
The substances involved tend to be members of the 10 classes of drug that typically cause
substance-related disorders:
Alcohol
Caffeine
[MDMA])
Tobacco
The specific manifestations and treatment of intoxication and withdrawal vary by the substance
or substance class.
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The common terms "addiction," "abuse," and "dependence" are too loosely and variably defined
to be very useful in systematic diagnosis; "substance use disorder" is more comprehensive and
These substances all directly activate the brain's reward system and produce feelings of pleasure.
The activation may be so strong that people intensely crave the substance. They may neglect
normal activities to obtain and use the drug. These substances also have direct physiologic
Intoxication: Intoxication refers to the immediate and temporary effects of a specific drug.
Intoxication impairs the person's mental function and judgment and may alter mood. Depending
on the drug, the person may feel a sense of excitement or an exaggerated feeling of well-being
(or euphoria), or the person may feel calmer, more relaxed, and sleepier than usual. Many drugs
impair physical functioning and coordination, leading to falls and vehicle crashes. Some drugs
trigger aggressive behavior, leading to fighting. As larger amounts of the drug are used (called an
overdose), adverse effects become more obvious, with serious complications and sometimes risk
of death. Tolerance means that people need more and more of the drug to feel the effects
originally produced by a smaller amount. People can develop tremendous tolerance to drugs such
Withdrawal: Withdrawal refers to symptoms that develop when people stop taking a substance
or take significantly less than usual. Withdrawal causes various unpleasant symptoms that differ
depending on the substance involved. Withdrawal from some drugs (such as alcohol or
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barbiturates) can be serious and even life threatening. Most people who experience withdrawal
know that taking more of the substance will reduce their symptoms. Whether withdrawal occurs
depends only on the substance and how long it is used, not whether the person has a substance
use disorder, is using the substance recreationally, or the substance is illegal. Some prescription
drugs, particularly opioids, sedatives, and stimulants, can result in withdrawal symptoms even
when taken as prescribed for legitimate medical reasons and for relatively brief periods (less than
1 week for opioids). People who have withdrawal symptoms were previously termed physically
dependent upon the substance. However, "dependence" has negative connotations suggesting
mental changes produced by substance use or withdrawal that resemble psychiatric disorders
such as depression, psychosis, anxiety and OCD. For a mental health disorder to be considered
substance induced, the substance involved must be known to be capable of causing the disorder.
Substances can be members of the 10 classes of drug that typically cause substance-related
disorders: Alcohol, Antianxiety and sedative drugs, Caffeine, Cannabis (including marijuana and
Inhalants (such as paint thinner and certain glues), Opioids (including fentanyl, morphine, and
But many other substances can cause mental health disorders. Common examples include
anticholinergic drugs and corticosteroids, which may cause temporary symptoms of psychosis.
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Appear within 1 month of intoxication with or withdrawal from the substance cause
Recreational drug use has exsisted in one form or the other for centuries. People have used
To enhance performance
Recreational uses of drugs: People who take drugs recreationally may take them
occasionally in relatively small doses, often without doing themselves harm. That is, users do not
develop drug withdrawal and drug does not physical harm them (at least in the short term).
Drugs usually considered recreational include; opium, alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, caffeine,
hallucinogenic mushroom and cocaine. Many recreational drugs are considered natural because
they are close to their plant origin. Recreational drugs can be taken by mouth, inhaled or
injected.
On the other hand, people can use drugs and it will can cause mental health disorders,
though these mental disorders can exist without the influence of any drug. Such mental disorders
induced psychosis, and drug-induced psychosis, is the diagnostic name for a specific mental
month of using or withdrawing from prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol. This
psychosis is merely a symptom, not a condition in and of itself. It is typically very temporary,
resolving in a couple of hours or days at most. However, it is a very serious symptom that often
may not have insight into whether their delusions and/or hallucinations are real.
from schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, there are some key factors to note.
Symptoms begin within a month of using or withdrawing from drugs, alcohol, or both.
There are no psychosis-related symptoms noted prior to the substance use or withdrawal.
emotional expression, which are common symptoms in schizophrenia spectrum and other
psychotic disorders.
Substance or medication-induced anxiety disorder: is the diagnostic name for anxiety or panic
attacks that are caused by alcohol, drugs, or medications. The transient feelings of anxiety or
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panic that can happen spontaneously during intoxication or withdrawal from alcohol or drugs.
Unfortunately, the same drugs that many people use to try and boost their confidence, help
them relax, and lower their inhibitions are the ones most prone to causing substance-induced
anxiety disorder or panic attacks. In some cases, people don't even realize that it is alcohol,
drugs, or medications that are causing anxiety because they only associate those substances
symptoms must be causing considerable mental distress or significantly disrupting the person’s
life, including employment, social life, or another major aspect of their existence.
lack of focus. Other common signs and symptoms include rapid heart rate, difficulty breathing,
repetitive behaviors that are driven by obsessions. Obsessions are unwanted thoughts, urges or
images that intrude on an individual's consciousness. They are associated with compulsive
behaviors which are actions that the person feels compelled to carry out often in response to,
and in an effort to control an obsession. These behaviors can be body-focused, for example,
picking at one's own skin, or pulling out one's own hairs. Although substance-induced OCD is
The compulsions rarely have any realistic connection to the obsessions they are
designed to neutralize or prevent. Rather, they form a ritualistic behavior that is designed to
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reduce anxiety but ultimately worsen the overall condition. While some people with obsessive
compulsive disorders are aware that the beliefs that are part of their obsessions are probably
not true, some are less certain, and others are convinced that they actually are true, to the
point where their beliefs are delusions. In some cases, almost immediately. There is even a
category "with onset during intoxication," which means that the obsessive compulsive episode
actually begins when the individual is high on the drug. It can also occur during withdrawal,
during which severe mental problems are common; repetitive, intrusive thoughts and
compulsive behaviors associated with OCD and other related disorders can result from
The symptoms of substance or medication-induced OCD are similar to those of pure OCD.
According to the DSM-V, a diagnosis is given only when OCD symptoms reach levels beyond
what is expected during drug use or toxin exposure and withdrawal. The symptoms and criteria
Symptoms begin within one month of drug or medication use, or upon withdrawal from
Symptoms are not due to a pre-existing OCD or related disorder that occurred prior to
substance exposure
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Effects of OCD symptoms cause significant anxiety and distress, impairing functioning in
everyday life
Physicians must find that no other medical condition is causing the symptoms. Further,
the diagnosing medical professional must distinguish the symptoms from those of
Generally in Nigeria, due to high cost of primary healthcare and the relative affordability of
traditional alternative re-invented the resort to traditional remedies by both the rich and poor.
Here the psychiatric patient is taken to a mental home. Their methodology include that of
traditional/orthodox approach which include; some sort of sacrifice, prayers and the use of
herbs, tree saps, leaves and back. Their approach could be seen as bio-psychology and religio-
pychology is very prominent in the eastern part of Nigeria. (O’Connor1995). The latter
emphasizes the medicinal values of herbs and herbal mixtures while the former involves the
sacrifices. Both of these techniques are complementary and are in use in the present day
from the Heart and belongs to the Spirit. When desire is abnormal, or out of control, it becomes
Acupuncture treatment: is a treatment in which thin needdles are inserted into the body. The
aim is to balance the life forces known as Qi that are responsible for different health issues.
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REFERENCES
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K. (2004). Prevalence and co-occurrence of substance use disorders and independentmood
and anxiety disorders: Results from the national epidemiologic survey on alchohol and
related conditions . Archieves of general psychiatry, 61(8),807-816.
Hartney, E. (2019). DSM 5 criteria for substance use disorders. verywellmind. com https://www.
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National Institutes of Health. (2008). Understanding drug abuse and addiction.
Tinsley, J. A. (2011). Assessment and treatment of substance use disorders. Focus, 9(1), 3-14
World Health Organization. (2021). The state of the health workforce in the WHO African
Region, 2021 ISBN.
American Psychiatric Association. (2020, December). What is a substance use disorder?
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Furnham, A., & Wong, L. (2007). A cross-cultural comparison of British and Chinese beliefs
about the causes, behaviour manifestations and treatment of schizophrenia. Psychiatry
Research, 151(1-2), 123–138. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2006.03.023
Acupuncture treatment: Zusanli (ST36), Xuehai (SP10), Geshu (BL17), Shenmen (HT7)