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What is a substance use disorder?

It is the recurrent use of alcohol, tobacco and/or other drugs. The substance may be prescription or non-prescription. This recurrent use will cause significant impairment in the individuals daily life, including health problems, disability, and failure to meet responsibilities at work, school, or home.

Symptoms you may see in someone who is suffering from a substance use disorder includes the following:

1. User of substance taking larger than intended dosage or taken for longer than expected periods
2. Intention and failed attempts to decrease use
3. Extra time and effort to obtain and use substance or recover from use of substance
4. Strong craving for the substance
5. Use of substance leads to not being able to fulfill responsibilities
6. Continued use of substance despite social and job impairment because of substance use
7. Reduction in other activities because of continued substance use
8. Using substance in a high risk setting such as while driving or operating machinery
9. Continued use of substance while knowing the harmful effects caused by the substance
10. Tolerance developed from taking more of the substance to reach the same effect from last time or having deceased effects from using the same amount of the substance
11. Withdrawal symptoms are seen after substance use is discontinued and withdrawal symptoms are relieved with continuation of substance use

How to support those who are trying to recover from substance use disorders.

Offer them encouragement. They often have feelings of hopelessness because the cravings are strong and the substances is easily obtainable. They also have lots of self-hatred towards themselves for allowing themselves to become addicted to the substance. They will need lots of encouragement and non-judgmental praise for all their small accomplishments.

Offer to attend a meeting a with them. Support groups are a great method for people struggling with substance use to find other people who know what they are going through. It will also allow you as their support to connect with people who can help explain what they are going though and how to best support them, when they may not know or be able to explain it.

Encourage them to speak with a counselor. Counselors have dedicated their lives to helping others and have specialized training in how to support those in recovery. Help your loved one or friend research the best option for them and support them moving forward with this option.

Remove access to controlled substances. If they have access to the substances they prefer they are more likely to relapse. If they are having cravings they may use whatever substances they have access to at the moment to help feed their craving. So, removing access to controlled medications, alcohol, other drugs and tobacco is a must.

Manage your responses while expressing your feelings. Make sure you are non-judgmental but at the same time express when you are upset or sad, etc. Be sure to avoid blaming statements or name-calling because these type of statements can hinder the recovery process.