The signs, symptoms, and effects of substance abuse can be different for every person impacted. Learning about substance abuse is one of the first steps towards getting better.

Understanding Addiction

Learn about addiction and substance abuse

Substance abuse is a general term that encompasses the misuse of legal and illegal drugs, including the improper use of prescribed medications, the overuse of legal substances such as alcohol, and the ingestion of illegal drugs such as heroin or cocaine. Substance abuse can refer to both a one-time event, such as consuming alcohol to the point of impairment, and an ongoing behavior, such as the chronic abuse of pain medications. Individuals who engage in substance abuse often become dependent upon the drugs that they have been using. In clinical terms, this occurrence is known as developing a substance use disorder. The American Psychological Association describes substance use disorders as being characterized by pathological patterns of behaviors that are related to the use of a particular substance or substances.

Substance abuse and substance use disorders have wreaked incalculable damage on individuals, families, and communities throughout the United States and around the world. In addition to having a negative impact on the physical and psychological health of those who engage in the behavior, substance abuse is also associated with family discord, crime, financial damage, and a host of additional negative sociological repercussions.

When a person develops a substance use disorder, he or she may be incapable of overcoming the compulsion to abuse a particular drug without proper professional intervention. The good news is that specialized programming has proven to be effective in the effort to help men and women end their chemical dependence and make the lifestyle changes that allow them to live healthy, drug-free lives.

Statistics

Substance abuse statistics

Data collected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that between 80 and 90 percent of adults in the United States have engaged in substance abuse at least once in their lives. In the United States, the three most commonly abused psychoactive substances are alcohol, marijuana, and prescription medications. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), more than 20 million Americans are currently struggling with a substance use disorder, yet fewer than 15 percent of these individuals will get the treatment that they need.

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors for substance abuse

The likelihood that a person will engage in substance abuse or develop a substance use disorder can be influenced by a number of causes and risk factors, including the following:

Genetic: Studies suggest that genetics are responsible for as much as 60 percent of the risk variance for developing certain substance use disorders. Individuals who have a family history are at an increased risk for developing a substance use disorder, as are those who possess certain inheritable traits such as impulsivity and novelty seeking.

Environmental: Cultural attitudes regarding the use and abuse of certain substances can be a strong environmental influence on the development of certain substance use disorders. Other environmental influences may include being exposed to excessive stress, living in poverty, experiencing trauma, and associating with peers who engage in substance abuse.

Risk Factors:

Family history of mental illness
Family history of substance abuse
Prior substance abuse
History of abuse, neglect, or other trauma
Personal history of mental illness
Age (early exposure to substance abuse significantly increases the likelihood of problems throughout one’s life)
Early aggressiveness
Access to substances of abuse
Associating with individuals who engage in substance abuse
Impulsivity
Novelty seeking
Low educational achievement
Poverty

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of substance abuse

Individuals who engage in substance abuse or who have developed a substance use disorder may display a variety of symptoms depending upon a wide range of individual factors. The following are among the more common indicators that a person has been abusing alcohol or another drug:

Behavioral symptoms:

Deceptiveness about whereabouts, acquaintances, and actions
Failing to fulfill obligations at work or at home
Spending a great deal of time acquiring, using, or recovering from the use of a substance
Unexplained absences from work or other responsibilities
Possessing drug paraphernalia
Behaving in a hyperactive manner
Using substances even when it is dangerous to do so, such as when driving a car
Withdrawal and isolation

Physical symptoms:

Rapid, slowed, slurred, or otherwise abnormal speech patterns
Bloodshot and/or watery eyes
Dilated or pinpoint pupils
Dramatic change in appetite
Significant weight loss or weight gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Sores, scabs, abscesses, and other skin problems
Profuse perspiration
Frequent headaches and nosebleeds
Fatigue
Restlessness

Cognitive symptoms:

Confusion
Disorientation
Racing thoughts
Inability to concentrate or focus
Poor judgment
Memory problems
Racing thoughts
Suicidal ideation

Psychosocial symptoms:

Mood swings
Anxiety
Agitation
Depression

Effects

Effects of substance abuse

Substance abuse can negatively impact a person’s life in myriad ways, including the following:

Increased propensity for colds, flu, and similar problems
Damage to virtually all major organs
Exposure to hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS
Increased risk of developing certain cancers
Diminished performance at work
Job loss and unemployment
Family discord, marital strife, separation, and divorce
Damaged or destroyed interpersonal relationships
Financial problems
Arrest and incarceration
Development or worsening of co-occurring mental health disorders
Homelessness
Suicidal ideation
Suicide attempts

Co-Occurring Disorders

Substance abuse and co-occurring disorders

Individuals who develop a substance use disorder may also be at an increased risk for developing a host of co-occurring mental health disorders, including the following:

Anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorders
Depressive disorders
Eating disorders
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Antisocial personality disorder
Schizophrenia
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Withdrawal and Overdose

Effects of withdrawal and overdose

Effects of substance abuse withdrawal: When a person has become dependent upon a drug, then stops or drastically reduces his or her use of that drug, he or she will likely experience several distressing withdrawal symptoms. Though specific symptoms will vary depending upon a range of factors, the following are common symptoms of withdrawal:

Strong cravings for the substance
Disrupted sleep patterns
Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
Profuse perspiration
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Loss of appetite
Abdominal cramping
Pain in muscles and bones
Tics and tremors
Agitation and irritability
Depression
Seizure

Effects of substance abuse overdose: The signs and impact of overdose will vary depending upon several factors, including the type of substance, the amount taken, and the individual’s tolerance for that drug. However, the following are common signs that may indicate that a person has overdosed on a dangerous substance: