Search
Call 24/7 for Information at (425) 448-6433

Substance Use Disorder

Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder at Pacific Sky Recovery Center

Substance use disorder is a chronic brain and behavioral disease that affects people from all walks of life and at every social and economic level. It doesn’t discriminate, but the good news is that it can be treated. 

Definition of Substance Use Disorder

“Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.” (American Society of Addiction Medicine)

Addiction is now called substance use disorder. It includes the use of illegal substances like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Substance use disorder also includes when someone abuses legal substances like alcohol, prescription medications, and nicotine. 

Substance Use Disorder is a Complex Condition

Substance use disorder is a complex condition. It describes a situation when someone continues their drugs or alcohol use despite harmful consequences. Over time, the person focuses their attention more intensely on using their drug of choice to the point where they are less able to function effectively in their everyday life. They continue using the drug even when they know they are impaired and their drug use is causing problems, which may include:

  • Calls from banks and creditors
  • Difficulties making ends meet financially
  • Legal issues (traffic accidents, impaired driving charges, etc).
  • Problems with coworkers or supervisors at work
  • Relationship difficulties

Change in Brain Chemistry

Repeated use of a substance changes the brain chemistry and how it functions. These changes may last long after the effects of the drug’s intoxication wear off. As someone continues to use their drug of choice, they need larger doses in order to feel its effects (euphoria, calm, intense pleasure, etc.). Stopping the drug’s use leads to withdrawal symptoms and intense cravings to start using again.

Distorted Thinking

Someone living with a substance use disorder may develop distorted thinking and behaviors. The changes in their brain structure and functions can lead to intense cravings they experience when they try to quit. The person may also experience personality changes, abnormal movements, and other behaviors. Their decision-making ability, judgment, memory, learning, and behavioral control may also be affected by drug use. 

Signs of Substance Dependence

The signs of drug or alcohol dependence include:

  • Need to use higher amounts of the drug or alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when either trying to cut down or stop the amount used
  • Spending a lot of time and effort obtaining, using, and recovering from drug use
  • Withdrawing from social and recreational activities
  • Continuing to use drugs despite being aware of the physical risks associated with it
  • Continuing to use drugs despite negative family, psychological, or social problems 
  • Weight loss
  • Constantly feeling tired
  • Neglecting personal hygiene
  • Red eyes
  • Sleep problems (not sleeping for more than 24 hours, then “crashing”; difficulty sleeping through the night, inability to stay awake during the day or while having a conversation)
  • Agitation (excess energy or pacing)

Someone living with a substance abuse disorder may not be able to stop their behavior, even if they realize they should give up their drug use. Their addiction has developed too strong of a hold on them. They need professional help to stop. 

Co-occurring Disorders

It’s common for a person with a substance use disorder to also live with a mental illness. Often, they start using drugs to help them deal with the symptoms of their mental illness because they don’t understand these symptoms or are reluctant to consult a doctor. 

Stigmas still exist around mental illness and, for many people, it is better to use alcohol or drugs to mask symptoms than to be known as someone with a mental health issue. In reality, mental illnesses are treatable. Many people get symptom relief from a combination of prescription medication and therapy. 

In a situation where a client has co-occurring disorders, both issues are treated simultaneously by the treatment team. Suppose the client receives substance use disorder treatment, but no mental illness treatment is provided. In that case, there is a significant risk that the client will start abusing drugs again. The same risk exists if only their mental illness is treated. 

Professional help is needed to treat both disorders to give the client the best chance for long-term recovery. 

Get Professional Help for Substance Use Disorder

Pacific Sky Recovery offers professional and confidential treatment for clients living with a substance use disorder. Our outpatient treatment service offers clients talk therapy while continuing to live at home. With a flexible schedule, clients can continue to work or attend school and attend to family responsibilities while receiving the treatment they need. 

Our structured support includes a medical component so that clients can receive medications to combat their cravings. We also offer group and individual therapy sessions to get to the root of the addiction and assist clients in moving forward into a new life in recovery.  

Learn more about our Substance Use Disorder Program

Scroll to Top