Addiction Disorders

Substance Use Disorders

Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) involve the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs, leading to significant impairment in health, work, and social relationships. SUDs can range from mild to severe, including dependence on substances like alcohol, opioids, and stimulants. Symptoms include an inability to control or reduce use, developing tolerance and withdrawal symptoms, spending significant time on substance-related activities, neglecting responsibilities, and continued use despite negative consequences. Treatment typically involves detoxification, behavioural therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and relapse prevention strategies with aftercare planning.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol Use Disorder is a chronic condition marked by an inability to control alcohol consumption despite harmful consequences, leading to physical dependence and serious health problems.

Symptoms include drinking more than intended, failed attempts to cut down, spending excessive time drinking or recovering, cravings, and giving up important activities.

Treatment include home detoxification, medications like Naltrexone or Acamprosate, individual and family therapy, treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and referrals to inpatient facilities.

Opioid Use Disorder

Opioid Use Disorder involves a harmful pattern of using opioids like prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl, leading to significant impairment.

Symptoms include intense cravings, tolerance, withdrawals, using more than intended, and neglecting responsibilities. One may also overdose due to toxic effects of these substances.

Treatments include medications like methadone or buprenorphine (OAT), counseling, safe detox protocols, mental health treatment, and referrals to inpatient facilities.

Stimulant Use Disorder

Stimulant Use Disorder involves the misuse of drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, or prescription stimulants, leading to severe psychological and physical health problems.

Symptoms include using larger amounts than intended, inability to stop, continued use despite negative consequences, withdrawal symptoms like fatigue and depression, and intense cravings.

Treatments include managing withdrawal symptoms, counseling, motivational incentives, treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and referrals to inpatient treatment.

Cannabis Use Disorder

Cannabis Use Disorder is a more common condition due to easy access and is marked by problematic cannabis use that causes significant distress or impairment.

Symptoms include difficulty controlling use despite negative effects like anxiety, paranoia, depression among others. Spending excessive time on cannabis, tolerance, psychological withdrawals, nausea, vomiting and neglecting responsibilities.

Treatments include counseling, Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), relapse prevention strategies, and treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.