SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS?*
Psychoactive substances (PAS) are those that, when taken, affect mental processes, e.g., perception, consciousness, thinking, mood; and eventually behaviour.
PAS include substances like:
- Alcohol,
- Cannabis (natural and synthetic),
- Nicotine (in cigarettes),
- Opioids,
- Amphetamine-type stimulants,
- Cocaine,
- Sedatives,
- Caffeine,
- Hallucinogens,
- Volatile inhalants,
- MDMA and related drugs; to mention but a few.
Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) result from a single occasion or repeated use of PAS.
Production, distribution, sale, or non-medical use of most PAS is either controlled or prohibited by law in most countries.
Globally, at least 15.3 million people have SUDs.
Common routes of using PAS:
- Ingesting: eating, drinking, licking, etc.
- Smoking/Inhaling
- Injecting
- Snorting
SUDs usually begin as experimentation or moral failure but gradually become a brain disease.
SUDs can lead to a dependence syndrome, intoxication, withdrawal syndrome, and precipitate other mental disorders like psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, etc.
SUDs also lead to negative physical health consequences and put a heavy financial burden on individuals, families, and society.
SUDs only lead in one direction- self destruction!
Help is available: Rehabilitation usually involves
- Medications
- Psychotherapy/Counselling
- Other supportive therapies.
