What is a Substance Use Disorder?

Is there a difference between a substance use disorder vs. addiction?

What Is a Substance Use Disorder?

A substance use disorder is a behavioral health condition that is characterized by repeated, compulsive use of alcohol or another drug. 

According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), a substance use disorder consists of “a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems.”

In other words, substance use disorders can change how a person thinks, acts, and feels, robbing them of the ability to control the amount and frequency of their drug use.

Substance Use Disorder vs. Addiction

There is no significant difference between substance use disorder vs. addiction. They vary primarily by the context in which they’re used. Substance use disorder is a clinical term, addiction is not. 

The DSM-5 uses variations of the term substance use disorder to identify different types of addictions, such as:

• Alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
• Opioid use disorder (addictions involving heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers, and similar drugs)
• Cannabis use disorder (marijuana addiction)
• Stimulant use disorder (addictions to drugs including amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine)
• Sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic disorder (which includes addictions to benzodiazepines and barbiturates)

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders

Only a qualified professional can diagnose someone with a substance use disorder, but several common warning signs can indicate that a person needs help.

Diagnostic criteria

To be accurately diagnosed with most substance use disorders in the DSM-5, a person must meet at least two of the following criteria:

1. Experiencing powerful urges or cravings to use the substance
2. Repeatedly using the substance in a greater amount or for a longer amount of time than intended
3. Having a persistent desire and/or a history of unsuccessful attempts to quit using the substance
4. Spending a substantial amount of time acquiring and using the substance, as well as recovering from its effects
5. Failing to meet responsibilities at home, in school, or at work as a result of substance use
6. Continuing to use the substance after having social or interpersonal problems that were caused or worsened by prior use
7. Continuing to use the substance despite incurring physical or psychological harm that was caused or worsened by prior use
8. Reducing or ending participation in important social or work-related activities as a result of substance use
9. Using the substance in circumstances that pose an obvious risk of harm (such as using multiple substances at the same time or driving while under the influence of the substance)
10. Developing tolerance, or needing to ingest larger amounts of the drug to feel its effects
11. Developing physical and/or psychological withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop using the substance

Warning signs

People who develop addictions often attempt to hide evidence of their compulsive behavior, but they often exhibit warning signs such as:

• Dramatic shifts in mood and energy level
• Sleeping much more or much less than usual
• Eating much more or much less than usual
• Unintentional weight gain or loss
• Acting with uncharacteristic anger or aggression
• Frequently missing work or school, forgetting appointments, and/or failing to pay bills
• Sudden decline in performance at work or in school
• Unexplained financial problems
• Loss of interest in topics or activities that used to be significant to them
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Being secretive or deceptive about how they’ve been spending their time
• Seeming to neglect their appearance and personal hygiene

Causes of Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders don’t usually result from a single identifiable cause. Instead, a person’s risk of becoming addicted to alcohol or another drug can be influenced by a variety of biological and environmental factors, such as:

• Parental substance use 
• Family history of certain mental health concerns
• Personal history of mental illness or trauma
• Personality traits such as impulsivity and novelty-seeking
• Certain genetic variations
• Early exposure to substance use
• Associating with others who use substances
• Cultural influences

Effects of Untreated Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders can have a profound negative impact on virtually every part of a person’s life, including their physical health and psychological well-being.

Physical consequences

Substance use and addiction are among the leading causes of preventable injury and death in the United States, due in part to overdoses and automobile accidents:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. recorded 107, 941 overdose deaths in 2022. This represented a 358% increase from 2002, when 23,518 deaths were attributed to overdoses.
• A 2022 study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that 55.8% of people who were injured or killed in automobile accidents had alcohol or other drugs in their system at the time of the crash.

In addition to accidents and overdoses, compulsive substance use can also contribute to myriad health problems, such as:

• The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has reported that heavy drinking has been linked to heart damage, stroke, liver disease, reduced bone density, muscle weakness, and several types of cancer.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has revealed that chronic substance abuse can increase a person’s risk of health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, hepatitis B and C, various forms of cancer, and HIV/AIDS.

Mental health concerns

Experts have also found strong links between substance use disorders and several types of mental illness:

• A March 2023 article in the American Journal of Psychiatry noted that being addicted to alcohol “at least doubles” the likelihood that a person will also have a depressive disorder or an anxiety disorder.
• A 2021 study in the journal Medicina reported that as many as 50% of people with bipolar I disorder were also addicted to alcohol or another drug.
• An April 2019 article in the journal Schizophrenia Research said that 47% of people with schizophrenia have had “serious problems with drug or alcohol use” during their lifetime.

It is important to note that links between substance use disorders and mental illnesses can be bidirectional. In some cases, addiction precedes the onset of a mental health condition, while in other cases mental health symptoms lead to drug use and dependence.

Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorders

There’s no question that substance use disorders can be devastating. But they can also be treated.

When a person gets the right type and level of care, they can end their use of alcohol and other drugs and start to live a healthier life in recovery. Depending on each person’s unique circumstances, effective treatment options include:

• Detox
• Residential treatment
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Outpatient program (OP)

There’s no type of therapy or course of treatment that works for everyone who has a substance use disorder. This is why it’s important to find a provider who will assess your specific needs, help you identify achievable goals, then develop a customized plan just for you.

Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Recovery offers personalized outpatient care for adults who have developed substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns. 

Options at our addiction rehab in Tampa Bay, Florida, include detox, a PHP, an IOP, and a virtual treatment program. We also offer sober living residences for clients who need additional support while receiving care.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.