Types of Substance Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) as “a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences”.

Symptoms of AUD include:

Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Wanting to cut down on how much you drink or making unsuccessful attempts to do so
Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, and/or recovering from alcohol use
Feeling a strong craving or urge to drink alcohol
Failing to fulfill major obligations at work, school, or home due to repeated alcohol use
Continuing to drink alcohol even though you know it’s causing physical, social, or interpersonal problems
Giving up or reducing social and work activities and hobbies
Using alcohol in situations where it’s not safe, such as when driving or swimming
Developing a tolerance to alcohol so you need more to feel its effect or you have a reduced effect from the same amount
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms — such as nausea, sweating and shaking — when you don’t drink, or drinking to avoid these symptoms

Alcohol Overdose

Did you know that it is possible to overdose on alcohol? Alcohol overdose happens when there is too much alcohol in their blood stream that it effects the parts of the brain that control basic like support functions, such as breathing, temperature control, and heart rate. Alcohol overdose looks like:

Mental confusion
Vomiting
Difficulty remaining conscious
Seizure
Slow heart rate
trouble breathing
Clammy skin
Dulled responses, such as no gag reflex (which prevents choking)
Extremely low body temperature

Check out our Youth Alcohol Use page for information specific to preventing youth use of alcohol, including free resources.

Cannabis Use Disorder

We are just now learning more about cannabis and how it effects our bodies. The Cleveland Clinic defines CUD as: a complex condition that involves a problematic pattern of cannabis (marijuana) use. It is a type of substance use disorder. More information can be found here

Symptoms and Causes

According to the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the signs of cannabis use disorder include:

Taking cannabis in larger amounts and for a longer amount of time than you intended.
Having a strong desire or urge to use cannabis.
Having unsuccessful efforts to cut down on or control cannabis use.
Spending a lot of time getting or using cannabis or recovering from its effects.
Having issues fulfilling responsibilities at work, school or home due to cannabis use.
Continuing to use cannabis even when it causes problems in relationships.
Giving up social, occupational or recreational activities because of cannabis use.
Using cannabis again and again, even when it puts you in danger (like when driving a vehicle).
Continuing cannabis use despite an ongoing physical or psychological problem that cannabis is likely causing or making worse.
Developing tolerance (need for increased amounts of cannabis to get the same effect).
Experiencing cannabis withdrawal symptoms, which you can relieve by taking more of it.

Seeking medical care as soon as you have signs of cannabis use disorder is essential.

Other symptoms and behaviors of cannabis use disorder may include:

Confusion.
Memory issues.
Difficulty learning.
Hallucinations.
Delusions.
Withdrawing from friends and family.
Sudden changes in mood and behavior.
Hostility or denial when someone confronts you about cannabis use.
Not caring about your physical appearance as much as you used to.
Secretive behavior to hide cannabis use.

Cannabis and Teens

The CDC indicates that “Cannabis use can have permanent effects on the developing brain when use begins in adolescence, especially with regular or heavy use. What you need to know about cannabis use and teens from the CDC here.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse funds research on the health effects of cannabis products

Hallucinogen Use Disorder (Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs)

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid use disorder is a chronic mental health condition. It involves a problematic pattern of opioid use. Treatment is possible and typically involves medication and therapy. It’s important to seek help as soon as possible if you think you’re developing an addiction to opioids.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a mental health condition where an ongoing pattern of opioid use affects your health and quality of life.

Opioids are addictive substances. Healthcare providers sometimes prescribe opioids to treat moderate to severe pain. But they also cause your body to produce more dopamine, which is a “feel good” hormone that gives you the sensation of pleasure. For some people, taking opioids may cause euphoria. Euphoria is an intensely good feeling. But this feeling is short-lived and goes away when the substance wears off. The Cleveland Clinic provides more detailed information here.

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder from the CDC provides a wealth of resources here.

The NIH provides highlights

Opioids are a class of natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic drugs. These include both prescription medications used to treat pain and illegal drugs like heroin.
Opioids are addictive. Use of opioids, either by themselves or in combination with other drugs, is a major driver of the drug overdose crisis in the United States. The vast majority of overdose deaths in recent years involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids. These may be added to other drugs without a buyer knowing it.
NIDA plays a leading role in the National Institutes of Health HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term^®) Initiative, an effort to develop new scientific solutions to the overdose epidemic, including opioid and stimulant use disorders, and the crisis of chronic pain. More info can be found here.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder

Hallucinogen Use Disorder (Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs)

What is a hallucination?

Opioid Use Disorder

Stimulant Use Disorder

Tobacco Use Disorder (Nicotine Dependence)

What are nicotine withdrawal symptoms?