Drug addiction and abuse: challenges and solutions
Reviewed by Steve Silvestro, MD, Ro,
Written by Ellyn Vohnoutka, BSN, RN
Reviewed by Steve Silvestro, MD, Ro,
Written by Ellyn Vohnoutka, BSN, RN
last updated: May 26, 2021
5 min read
Here's what we'll cover
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, you are not alone. Research estimates that substance use disorders affect 8–10% of the general population.
For those seeking healthcare, the numbers are even higher. Approximately 20% of primary care patients, 40% of general hospital inpatients, and more than 70% of patients in emergency or urgent care clinics are also dealing with drug abuse (McLellan, 2017).
Recovery from drug dependence is a life-long process, but it is possible. The sooner you recognize the signs and seek out treatment, the sooner you can seek out effective treatments and begin the journey of recovery.
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What is drug addiction?
Substance abuse disorder is a chronic, relapsing medical condition. In drug addiction, the brain’s dopamine reward system, the anti-reward/stress system, and the central immune system are involved in reinforcing behaviors and producing memories that lead to substance dependence and relapse after withdrawal (Liu, 2018).
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) includes ten separate classes of commonly abused drugs. These include legal substances, prescription drugs, and illicit drugs (Alozai, 2020):
Alcohol
Caffeine
Cannabis
Hallucinogens
Inhalants
Opioids
Sedative/ hypnotics
Anxiolytics/ benzodiazepines
Stimulants
Tobacco
These addictive drugs may produce an intense activation of the brain’s reward system, resulting in the person neglecting normal activities in favor of drug use. Each of the drugs listed affects the body differently, but all of them produce a feeling of pleasure in the brain, usually called a “high” (Alozai, 2020).
The signs of a substance use disorder
The DSM-5 lists the following signs that you may have a problematic pattern of substance use. If you have experienced two or more of the following symptoms in the last 12 months, you should consult a healthcare provider for help in cutting down or stopping your drug use (Alozai, 2020):
Often take in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended
A persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control use
A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the substance’s effects
Drug craving or a strong desire or urge to use the substance.
Recurrent use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home
Continued use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by its effects
Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of the use
Recurrent use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
Continued use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance
Tolerance
Experience withdrawal symptoms
What causes drug addiction?
There is no single cause for drug addiction. As with most behavioral disorders, it results from a combination of genetic risk factors, personality traits, and the surrounding environment. Certain risk factors may predispose individuals to use substances earlier in life. Once exposed, the brain’s reward systems reinforce drug use resulting in repeated use and addiction (Alozai, 2020).
Various risk factors can make someone more likely to have a problem with substance abuse; these are (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021):
Your biology
A history of prolonged stress or trauma
Other mental health problems
Your home environment
Social difficulties
Having peers who use drugs
Experimenting with drugs at a young age
How does drug abuse affect your health?
The physical effects of substance use disorder vary depending on the drug of choice, but over the long term, all drug abuse is toxic to the body (Fluyau, 2020).
Some of the physical consequences of drug abuse can include (Fluyau, 2020):
Heart disease
Increased rates of falls and accidents
Liver disease
Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
Exposure to contagious illnesses such as hepatitis or HIV
Overdose or death
Abusing drugs can result in several substance-induced mental health disorders such as (Alozai, 2020):
Psychotic disorders
Bipolar disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Sleep disorders
Sexual dysfunction
Delirium
Neurocognitive disorders
When to see a healthcare provider
If you feel unable to control your drug use, think you are experiencing adverse side effects of substance use, or are experiencing withdrawal, you should see your primary care physician (PCP) or another healthcare professional.
Your provider will take a detailed history of your substance use, your family history of addiction, stressors going on in your life, and any other mental or physical conditions that you may have. They will also conduct a physical exam and possibly lab work (Alozai, 2020).
Your healthcare provider can help you develop a treatment plan, prescribe medications to ease detox symptoms, and decide if outpatient, inpatient, or residential treatment would be best for your situation. Some drug addiction treatment programs or detoxification centers will require you to get a referral from a healthcare professional.
How do you treat drug addiction?
Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term commitment. Several interventions have been scientifically shown to be effective for addiction treatment. These include medications, behavioral therapies, and recovery support groups. As a result of professional, continuing, evidenced-based care, even those with severe addictions have the possibility of recovery (McLellan, 2017).
Medications
Two medications work well for preventing relapse in people with opioid addiction. Methadone has been shown to be more effective and result in fewer relapses; however, it has a more significant potential for abuse. Buprenorphine is slightly less effective at preventing relapse but has a lower potential for abuse than methadone (Guenzel, 2020).
Multiple studies have been conducted to find medications to assist with preventing relapse on cannabis and methamphetamine. Currently, none have produced significant results. Research is still ongoing, but it is unlikely that an effective relapse prevention medication for these two drugs will be available soon (Guenzel, 2020).
Individual therapy
Several forms of therapy have been studied to help people with drug addiction. These treatment approaches share many common elements, and no studies show that one is better than the others (Guenzel, 2020).
Motivational interviewing is an approach that seeks to increase a person’s readiness to change behaviors that are detrimental to their health. A therapist may use different techniques such as discussing barriers to change, calling to mind the reasons for change, and developing a plan to change behaviors (Guenzel, 2020).
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapies for substance use disorder. This technique helps individuals identify and overcome the thoughts and feelings that have led to drug/alcohol use. Several different skills are employed. One skill, mindfulness, is increasingly being studied for its potential health benefits (Guenzel, 2020).
Peer support groups
Peer support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) were established to allow individuals in the early stages of recovery to receive support and assistance from those who achieved longer periods of sobriety (Guenzel, 2020).
The evidence for the efficacy of peer support groups in helping those in recovery remain drug-free is limited. A small study did find that a similar group, Alcoholics Anonymous, may help with treatment acceptance and retention in the recovery program (Guenzel, 2020).
Resources for additional support
If you are looking for additional support for yourself or a family member dealing with mental illness or drug addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s national helpline.
SAMHSA’s helpline is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year information service. They can provide referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. It is available in both English and Spanish.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Alozai Uu, Sharma S. (2020). Drug and alcohol use. [Updated 2020 Jun 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513263/
Fluyau D, Charlton TE. (2020). Addiction. [Updated 2020 Nov 18]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549783/
Guenzel N, McChargue D. (2020). Addiction relapse prevention. [Updated 2020 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551500/
Liu, J. F., & Li, J. X. (2018). Drug addiction: a curable mental disorder?. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 39 (12), 1823–1829. doi: 10.1038/s41401-018-0180-x. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30382181/
McLellan A. T. (2017). Substance misuse and substance use disorders: why do they matter in healthcare?. Transactions of the American Clinical and Climatological Association, 128 , 112–130. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5525418/
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021). Drug use and addiction. MedlinePlus . Retrieved on May 24, 2021 from https://medlineplus.gov/druguseandaddiction.html