Читать книгу Emotionally Naked - Anne Moss Rogers - Страница 29

Substance use disorders are patterns of symptoms resulting from continued use of a substance, despite harmful consequences. Addiction is the most severe form of substance use disorders, a chronic relapse disease caused by repeated misuse of one or more substances.²² Substance misuse can lead to substance use disorder but whether it does or not depends on age, family, and health history, as well as environment, which can include mental illness and/or exposure to traumatic events. Developing teen brains are more susceptible to substance use disorders than adult brains and there are many substances to which someone can become addicted. The most common substance is alcohol, followed by marijuana, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications such as cough syrup with dextromethorphan (e.g. Robitussin^®), air dusters, and aerosol whipped cream (e.g. Reddi-Wip^®). The misuse of easily accessible substances can lead to the eventual dependence on street drugs. The development of physical withdrawal symptoms, which can be relieved by taking more of the substance, is what separates addiction from substance misuse. Teens often start using to fit in, experience highs, “numb” feelings related to an adverse event, or normalize or regulate their moods pertaining to grief or a mental illness. Substance use disorders can co-occur with other mental illnesses and disorders. Drinking alcohol at an early age, binge or heavy drinking, and drinking behaviors that meet criteria for mild, moderate, or severe alcohol use disorder can all lead to increased risk of suicidal ideation and attempts. Persons with heavy alcohol use are five times more likely to die by suicide than social drinkers²³ and toxicology reports on suicide decedents indicate that 75% of suicides involve one or more substances.²⁴