Substance Use Symptoms

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER is a disease that occurs when a person is unable to stop using a legal or illicit drug or prescribed medication. The drug use affects the person’s brain causing significant impairment in meeting major responsibilities at home, work, or school.

  • Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
  • Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
  • Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
  • Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
  • Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
  • Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
  • Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
  • Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it’s causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
  • Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
  • Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
  • Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug, or recovering from the effects of the drug
  • Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
  • Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Available services to assist persons suffering from substance use disorder include:

  • Individual and/or Group Counseling
  • Medication Management
  • Residential Treatment
  • Supportive Services (i.e., case management, peer recovery support)
  • Outpatient, Individual, and Group Counseling

For general information on mental health, you may visit Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at http://www.samhsa.gov.

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