Substance use disorder (SUD) is the persistent use of drugs despite the substantial harm and adverse consequences to one's own self and others, as a result of their use.[7][8] In perspective, the effects of the wrong use of substances that are capable of causing harm to the user or others, have been extensively described in different studies using a variety of terms such as substance use problems,[9]problematic drugs or alcohol use,[10][11] and substance use disorder.[12][13]The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that "Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person's brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD".[14]Substance use disorders (SUD) are considered to be a serious mental illness that fluctuates with the age that symptoms first start appearing in an individual, the time during which it exists and the type of substance that is used.[15] It is not uncommon for those who have SUD to also have other mental health disorders. Substance use disorders are characterized by an array of mental/emotional, physical, and behavioral problems such as chronic guilt; an inability to reduce or stop consuming the substance(s) despite repeated attempts; operating vehicles while intoxicated; and physiological withdrawal symptoms.[7] Drug classes that are commonly involved in SUD include: alcohol (alcoholism); cannabis; opioids; stimulants such as nicotine (including tobacco), cocaine and amphetamines; benzodiazepines; barbiturates; and other substances.[7][16]
In 2017, globally 271 million people (5.5% of adults) were estimated to have used one or more illicit drugs.[20] Of these, 35 million had a substance use disorder.[20] An additional 237 million men and 46 million women have alcohol use disorder as of 2016.[21] In 2017, substance use disorders from illicit substances directly resulted in 585,000 deaths.[20] Direct deaths from drug use, other than alcohol, have increased over 60 percent from 2000 to 2015.[22] Alcohol use resulted in an additional 3 million deaths in 2016.[21]
^Moss HB, Chen CM, Yi HY (March 2014). "Early adolescent patterns of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana polysubstance use and young adult substance use outcomes in a nationally representative sample". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 136. Elsevier: 51–62. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.12.011. PMID24434016. S2CID13003820.
^ abcDiagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. ISBN978-0-89042-554-1. OCLC830807378.
^Paglia A, Room R (September 1999). "Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Youth: A Literature Review and Recommendations". Journal of Primary Prevention. 20 (1): 3–50. doi:10.1023/A:1021302302085. ISSN1573-6547. S2CID264261699.
^Healey A, Roberts S, Sevdalis N, Goulding L, Wilson S, Shaw K, et al. (April 2019). "A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Stop Smoking Interventions in Substance-Use Disorder Populations". Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 21 (5): 623–630. doi:10.1093/ntr/nty087. PMID29733376.
^Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (June 2016). Substance Use Disorders. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US).
^Guha M (11 March 2014). "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th edition)". Reference Reviews. 28 (3): 36–37. doi:10.1108/RR-10-2013-0256. ISSN0950-4125.