Understanding Drug Addiction and How Therapy Can Help

What Is Drug Addiction?

Drug addiction is not just about using a heavy amount of drugs or using them all the time. It’s about not being able to control drug use, even when it is causing harm. Clinically, drug addiction falls under the substance use disorder (SUD) category for diagnosis. It’s when someone keeps using drugs or alcohol, even though it continues to cause significant impairment or distress for them.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), the most up-to-date version of the DSM-5 criteria, cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms define substance use disorder.

Individuals with substance use disorder continue to use substances despite experiencing health issues, relationship problems, job difficulties or loss due to the substance use.

Substance use disorder ICD 10 (The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) is classified based on harmful use and dependence. There are different codes for each substance.

It’s important to know the difference between recreational drug use, which is occasional non-problematic use, and being addicted. Addiction changes how your brain works, forcing you to crave the substance you cannot stop using.

If you do stop using it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Certain drugs are commonly associated with substance use disorders, including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and methamphetamine (meth).

Understanding Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

So, what is substance use disorder exactly? The DSM-5 uses 11 criteria to define SUD. It is diagnosed based on the presence of at least two out of the 11 symptoms occurring within a 12-month period.

The severity is categorized as mild (2–3 symptoms), moderate (4–5), or severe (6 or more). These symptoms include:

Impaired control
Social impairment
Risky use
Tolerance
Withdrawal

With substance use disorder ICD 10, SUDs are diagnosed using two distinct main categories:

Harmful Use: Using drugs in a way that actually hurts your health physically or mentally.
Dependence Syndrome: Diagnosed when someone has three or more symptoms of strong cravings, loss of control, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms within a 12-month period.

Both diagnostic systems play a role in guiding drug addiction treatment, and both agree that drugs like cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and meth can cause serious problems. Substance use disorder, however, is more than a clinical label. It significantly impacts real people, families and communities.

Behind the diagnostic symptoms are people who are often dealing with pain, trauma or unmet needs. For some people, substance use begins as a way to cope with emotions, manage untreated mental health problems, or feel like they have some control.

FAQs

What is Substance Use Disorder?

An accurate substance use disorder definition is a condition characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences. SUD is a chronic, relapsing condition.

How is Substance Use Disorder Diagnosed?

It’s diagnosed using criteria in the DSM-5 or ICD-10 guidelines, which assess symptoms such as tolerance, cravings, withdrawal, loss of control, and impact on daily functioning.

What Drugs are Considered Most Addictive?

Highly addictive drugs include opioids (like heroin and fentanyl), stimulants (like cocaine and meth), benzodiazepines, and nicotine.

Can Therapy Really Help with Drug Addiction?

Yes, therapy can provide drug addiction treatment through helping people understand the root of their addiction, learn coping skills, and build a life that promotes long-term recovery.

The Dangers of Addictive Drugs

Each substance can be dangerous and impact the brain and body in unique and serious ways. Common addictive drugs include:

Cocaine: Known for its short but intense high, cocaine is a powerful stimulant that increases heart rate and blood pressure. Cocaine affects dopamine levels in the brain by making you feel more energetic and happy. However, using it for prolonged periods has been known to cause heart attacks or strokes, as well as dependence on the drug.
Heroin: This is an opioid with a high risk of overdose and severe withdrawal symptoms. Heroin makes your brain feel good by activating the opioid receptors. Nausea, muscle pain, and intense cravings are all withdrawal symptoms. Heroin overdose can lead to respiratory failure.
Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a synthetic (or lab-made) opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Because even a small dose of fentanyl can be lethal, it is a significant cause of overdose deaths in the United States. When mixed with other substances it can be even more dangerous due to its high potency.
Methamphetamine (Meth): This is a stimulant that can cause long-term problems to the dopamine systems in the brain, causing cognitive impairment and mental health issues. Meth can cause serious problems like psychosis, aggression and severe dental issues (“meth mouth”).

According to recent statistics:

In 2021 over 46 million people in the U.S. aged 12 or older had at least one substance use disorder.
The opioid crisis has caused more than 100,000 overdose deaths every year in recent years, mostly due to synthetic opioids, with fentanyl being the main culprit.

How Therapy Can Help with Drug Addiction

Drug addiction impacts everything about a person, including their thoughts, their relationships, how they feel about themselves and their body. That is why therapy is a vital part of drug addiction treatment.

For some, especially depending on how addicted they are to substances, recovery may start with medical detox. However, regardless of the steps for recovery, drug addiction help should include therapy, as ongoing psychological support is key to long-term success. Evidence-based therapies for substance use disorders include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps people identify and change their unhelpful thoughts and actions related to drug use.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): MI focuses on helping people want to change by exploring their own goals and mixed feelings about recovery.
Group Therapy & 12-Step Facilitation: Peer-based support gives structure for recovery and offers accountability. Studies have shown that this support helps when combined with other treatments.
Family Therapy: Thishelps families communicate better, repair damage within the relationship, prevent relapse, and address substance abuse patterns across generations.

Therapy isn’t just focused on stopping drug use. It helps people understand why they started using the substance in the first place.

Therapy helps people identify and address the root causes (like trauma, grief or anxiety), as well as manage behavioral habits (such as triggers, routines and coping strategies), so they can move forward in life with purpose.

Getting Drug Addiction Help

Substance use disorder recovery isn’t linear, but it is possible. You don’t have to hit rock bottom to get drug addiction help. Seeking help early can prevent further impact on your life.

It’s important to see substance use disorder as both a medical condition and a personal journey. People aren’t just their diagnoses; they are individuals dealing with complicated situations, doing the best with what they have. Addiction is a treatable condition, and recovery is possible.

Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone else, drug addiction help is available. Support is available at every stage, from contemplation to long-term sobriety.

If you’re ready to talk to someone, explore the provider search tool at Therapy.com to find caring therapists who specialize in treating substance use disorder.