What is substance use disorder?
Substance use disorder is a health problem where your misuse of alcohol or drugs gets in the way of your life. This includes prescription medicines or illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, meth, and psychedelics, such as magic mushrooms.
What are some signs that I might have a substance use disorder?
You may notice that you:
- Crave drugs or alcohol
- Need more drugs or alcohol to feel good than you did before
- Feel ill when you stop using drugs or alcohol
- Use drugs or alcohol in unsafe places or ways
- Use drugs or alcohol even when it causes problems
- Do less in life so you have more time to use drugs or alcohol
- Want to stop using drugs or alcohol but cannot stop
How Do I Know If I Have a Substance Disorder
Only a doctor or therapist can tell you if you have (diagnose you with) a substance use disorder.
How can therapy help with my substance disorder?
You may be able to get therapy at a therapist’s office, or you may get it through a live-in program. Some therapies that help children and teens with substance use disorder
Are substance use disorders related to other mental health problems, and what could put me at risk of having one?”
A lot of children and teens who have a substance use disorder also have a mental health problem, such as:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder)
- Schizophrenia
You might be more likely to have this if:
- You use drugs or alcohol to deal with your symptoms from a mental health problem
- Someone in your family also has a drug or alcohol problem
- You have been through hard things such as high stress or abuse