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Substances Use Disorders: Symptoms, Effects & Treatment

People enjoying a group exercise through Empowered Recovery Center.

Addiction is a serious medical condition affecting millions of people regardless of age, background, or circumstances. Also known as a substance use disorder (SUD), addiction is a complex disorder that alters brain function, making it difficult for individuals to stop using substances even after they experience harmful consequences.  

Fortunately, recovery from addiction is possible. With proper treatment and support, people can regain control of their lives and break free from addiction. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, understanding this disorder is the first step toward healing and recovery.

What Is A Substance Use Disorder?

Substance use disorder, or SUD for short, is a treatable mental health condition that affects the brain, making it difficult for a person to control their use of substances.1 The addictive substances can be alcohol, prescription medications such as opioids, or illegal drugs including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamines.2,3 A SUD can range from mild to severe. 

Many people living with SUD also experience other mental health disorders, and many people living with mental health disorders struggle with substance use. Some common co-occurring mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effective addiction treatment programs address both the SUD and any possible co-occurring mental health disorders, helping patients reclaim control of their lives and progress in their recovery.1

What is Addiction?  

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to take drugs or alcohol repeatedly, despite the harm they might cause. It is the most severe form of SUD.1 

The repeated use of substances can alter the brain’s chemistry, leading to addiction. The changes made to the brain from addiction can be lasting, so addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease. This means that people in recovery remain at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them. In other words, there is no known “cure” for addiction.2

Types of Addictive Substances  

The term “addictive substances” helps clarify that this group of substances is made up of more than illegal “street drugs” or prescription pills. A variety of substances, available in different forms, are rightly considered addictive.3 Some common addictive substances include:  

Prescription and nonprescription opioids:4 

  • Oxycodone and oxycodone/acetaminophen (Oxycontin®, Roxicodone®, Percocet®) 
  • Buprenorphine (also known as Subutex®, Suboxone®) 
  • Hydrocodone (also known as Vicodin®, Lortab®, Norco®) 
  • Hydromorphone (also known as Dilaudid®, Exalgo®) 
  • Codeine 
  • Morphine 
  • Fentanyl (also known as Duragesic® or Fentora®) 
  • Heroin 
  • Counterfeit prescription pills 
  • Non-prescription (illicit) fentanyl 

                    Prescription and nonprescription stimulants:5 

                    • Caffeine 
                    • Tobacco (nicotine) 
                    • Amphetamine or dextroamphetamine (Adderall®, Dexedrine®) 
                    • Methylphenidate (Concerta®, Ritalin®] 
                    • Diet aids (Didrex®, Bontril®, Preludin®, Fastin®) 
                    • Methamphetamine 
                    • Ice (Crystal methamphetamine) 
                    • Methcathinone 
                    • MDMA (also known as “ecstasy” or “molly”) 
                    • Synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”)  

                                      Hypnotics, anticonvulsants, and sedatives:6 

                                      • Alcohol 
                                      • Sleep aids like Estazolam (ProSom®), Flurazepam (Dalmane®), and Triazolam (Halcion®) 
                                        • Anti-anxiety medications like Alprazolam (Xanax®), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium®), Diazepam (Valium®), Lorazepam (Ativan®), and Clonazepam (Klonopin®) 
                                        • Barbiturates  

                                          Hallucinogens and Dissociatives:7 

                                          • Cannabis (marijuana) 
                                          • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) 
                                          • Phencyclidine (PCP) 
                                          • Mescaline 
                                          • Psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms) 
                                          • Ecstasy (MDMA) 
                                          • Ketamine 
                                          • Salvia 
                                          • Nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) 

                                                          It should be noted that, while psychological dependence on hallucinogens presents a significant risk, research indicates that hallucinogens and dissociative drugs have a low potential for addiction compared to, say, the more potent opioids or stimulants. 

                                                          Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Some people tend to become addicted over a long period of substance use, while others can get addicted quickly. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors, including genetic, physical, and environmental factors.2

                                                          Signs Of A Substance Use Disorder

                                                          When thinking about the symptoms of a disease or medical condition, many tend to focus on physical issues like pain or exhaustion. However, the symptoms of addiction tend to manifest through alterations in the user’s mood and behavior. Substance use disorder signs include:7

                                                          • Substances are often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than intended 
                                                          • There is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to control substance use 
                                                          • A great deal of time is spent on activities necessary to obtain substances, use substances, or recover from their effects 
                                                          • Craving, or a strong desire or urge to use substances 
                                                          • Recurrent substance use, resulting in a failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home 
                                                          • Continued substance use despite experiencing persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by substances 
                                                          • Continued substance use despite persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems that may have been caused or worsened by substances 
                                                          • Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use 
                                                          • Recurrent substance use in situations where it is physically hazardous

                                                          Substance Abuse Risk Factors 

                                                          Substance use disorders affect people of all ages, races, sexes, genders, and socioeconomic levels. However, a number of external factors often tend to be involved in a person’s tendency toward substance abuse, which can lead to the development of a SUD. These include social pressure, curiosity about a substance’s effects, performance enhancement, and relief from stress, anxiety, fear, or depression. 

                                                          While there does not seem to be any exact cause or set of causes to explain one’s development of a substance use disorder, the risk factors of addiction include the existence of an underlying mental health condition such as anxiety or depression, a family history of addiction, a history of adverse childhood experiences, a genetic susceptibility such as a genetic variant that makes SUDs more likely, and early exposure or easy access to substances.7

                                                          Effects of Addiction   

                                                          Addiction to drugs and alcohol can have a range of negative effects on the life of the user. The effects of substance use disorders (SUDs) can take a toll on your physical and mental health, your relationships with friends and family, your career and finances, your social standing, and your legal status. 

                                                          Of course, the negative effects of addiction depend on the substance or substances to which you are addicted. For instance, an addiction to alcohol can wreak havoc on your liver, while an addiction to cocaine can have an adverse effect on our heart and damage your nasal passages.   

                                                          The effects of addiction include:2,3

                                                          • Changes to your thinking and judgment  
                                                          • Personality changes 
                                                          • Paranoia 
                                                          • Problems with sleep 
                                                          • Memory and cognitive impairment  
                                                          • Difficulty with coordination 
                                                          • Anxiety 
                                                          • Depression 
                                                          • Weight loss or weight gain 
                                                          • Increased risk of heart attack or stroke 
                                                          • Increased risk of cancer 
                                                          • Increased risk of lung damage 
                                                          • Lack of personal hygiene 
                                                          • Alienation, isolation 
                                                          • Erosion of nasal tissue 
                                                          • Skin abscesses 
                                                          • Heightened risk of criminal activity in pursuit of drug money 
                                                          • Loss of interest in favorite activities, sports, or hobbies 
                                                          • Lasting damage to relationships with friends and family 
                                                          • Overdose, including fatal overdose

                                                                                                                How Is Addiction Treated?

                                                                                                                After completing a detox program, the physical process of ridding toxic substances from the body, patients traditionally transition into one or more addiction treatment programs designed to help them develop coping skills and avoid relapse.  

                                                                                                                These programs, which are designed to address the different levels of care that a patient might need, include partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), or standard outpatient (OP) care. The most effective addiction treatment accounts for factors such as the patient’s medical history, the substances they’ve used, and the duration of their addiction.  

                                                                                                                Some addiction treatments offer research-based behavioral therapies in combination with prescription medications to ease the process of drug withdrawal. This is known as Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). 

                                                                                                                Another effective addiction treatment is dual diagnosis care, which simultaneously addresses the SUD and any co-occurring mental health conditions—most commonly anxiety, depression, and bipolar.

                                                                                                                Substance Use & Addiction Treatment in Kansas City   

                                                                                                                At Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City, we aim to help you take control of your life. Our SUD and addiction treatment programs are designed to support and guide you along every step of your recovery journey.  

                                                                                                                We offer flexible treatment options to fit your unique needs. These include outpatient rehab, partial hospitalization (PHP), and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). And because recovery doesn’t stop when treatment ends, we provide a full year of recovery coaching, absolutely free, to ensure you have the ongoing support you deserve.  

                                                                                                                We accept multiple insurance plans and are happy to work with out-of-network providers to get you the care you need. Our admissions team can quickly verify your benefits over the phone or online so you have all the details upfront. Ready to start your journey to recovery? Call us today or fill out a contact form.

                                                                                                                References

                                                                                                                1. National Institute of Mental Health (2024). Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health 
                                                                                                                2. MedLine Plus (2023). Drug Use and Addiction. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://medlineplus.gov/druguseandaddiction.html#summary 
                                                                                                                3. Cleveland Clinic (2024). Addictive Substances. Cleveland Clinic’s Health Library. Retrieved February 27, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/addictive-substances 
                                                                                                                4. Wyoming Department of Health (2025). Opioids and Other Drugs. Wyoming Department of Health. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/prevention/substanceabuseandsuicide/opioid-information-wyoming/ 
                                                                                                                5. Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2024). Stimulants. Alcohol and Drug Foundation. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/stimulants/ 
                                                                                                                6. Drug Enforcement Administration (2020). Drug Fact Sheet: Benzodiazepines. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Benzodiazepenes-2020_1.pdf
                                                                                                                7. Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Substance Use Disorder. Cleveland Clinic’s Health Library. Retrieved February 28, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16652-drug-addiction-substance-use-disorder-sud