Around 20 million of the total US population suffer from substance use

disorder (SUD). This disorder causes one to struggle with controlling their intake

of substances such as drugs, alcohol, and medications. The symptoms for this

disorder range from moderate to severe. Often, SUD and other mental disorders

occur together; however, despite common belief they do not cause one another.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are 3 main

possibilities that suggest why these two mental issues occur at the same time:

common risk factors cause them to occur at the same time; mental disorders can

contribute to SUD because oftentimes certain disorders such as PTSD use

substances to self-medicate and use of it too often can contribute to the

development of SUD; substance abuse may increase the chance of development of

a mental disorder due to the changes it causes in the brain. However, it must be

noted that these two do not cause one another but rather may contribute to the

other’s possible development.

With their being a possibility of development, researchers and psychologists

have developed many ways to treat this mental disorder. Two of the main treatment
methods are medication and therapy. Medications used for substance use

disorders differ depending on what is being treated. For example, tobacco

addiction may be treated with a nicotine patch while opioids and alcohol may be

treated with an FDA-approved drug known as naltrexone (binds and blocks

opioid/alcohol receptors in order to reduce cravings). Even though these drugs are

reported to be helpful, they are often a last result since behavioral therapies, such

as rehab, are seen as most effective. Some other therapies beyond rehab include

cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, assertive community

treatment, therapeutic communities, and contingency management. These therapies

help patients be more self-aware of their decisions and their addiction which helps

them to stop their substance abuse.

The topic of substance use disorder is extremely serious and present in many

lives. Therefore, it is important for all of us to understand what it is, what it entails,

and what it can be treated with.

Sources Used:
Naltrexone Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings and Dosing - WebMD.

www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7399/naltrexone-oral/details.

“Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders.” National Institute of Mental Health

(NIMH), www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health.

What Is a Substance Use Disorder? www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction-substance-

use-disorders/what-is-a-substance-use-disorder.