Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Recovery Is for Everyone: Understanding Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

"Millions of Americans have a substance use disorder (SUD)1, and it remains an important health issue in our country. With effective treatment, recovery is possible. There is strength in getting help.

What is SUD?

An SUD is a treatable, chronic disease, characterized by a problematic pattern of use of a substance leading to noticeable impairment or distress. SUDs can lead to significant problems in all aspects of a person’s life.

Patterns of symptoms resulting from substance use can help a doctor diagnose a person with SUD and connect them to appropriate treatment. For certain drug types, some symptoms are less prominent, and in some cases, not all symptoms apply. For example, withdrawal symptoms are not specified for inhalant use

A SUD can be applied to the following types of drugs 2:
  • Alcohol
  • Cannabis
  • Hallucinogens
  • Inhalants
  • Opioids
  • Sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics
  • Stimulants
  • Tobacco (nicotine)
  • Other (unknown) substance

Treatment and Recovery Options

Overcoming an SUD is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs. Like many other chronic conditions, treatment is available for substance use disorders. While no single treatment method is right for everyone, recovery is possible, and help is available for patients with SUDs.

Evidence-based guidelines can assist doctors with choosing the right treatment options. These guidelines help evaluate a patient’s clinical needs and situation to match them with the right level of care, in the most appropriate available setting. For more information on evidence-based guidelines visit Addiction Medicine Primer..."
Substance Abuse
 

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