Understanding Substance Use Disorder: How Therapy Can Help

What Is Substance Use Disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental health condition that impacts millions of Americans every year. A simple substance use disorder definition is this: It’s a condition in which a person is not able to control their use of a substance to the point where it is negatively impacting their life in various ways.

There are also medical definitions of the disorder that go into more detail about the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. One of those is found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

There are 11 different criteria outlined in the substance use disorder DSM-5 definition and the severity of your SUD depends on the number of criteria you meet. The list includes:

Using more of a substance than intended or using it for longer than you’re meant to
Trying to cut down or stop using the substance but being unable to
Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use the substance
Needing more of the substance to get the desired effect—also called tolerance
Developing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance
Spending more time getting and using drugs and recovering from substance use
Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school because of substance use
Continuing to use even when it causes relationship problems
Giving up important or desirable social and recreational activities due to substance use
Using substances in risky settings that put you in danger
Continuing to use despite the substance causing problems to your physical and mental health

The DSM also includes substance use disorder ICD-10 codes which are used primarily for insurance purposes in identifying specific diagnoses. The ICD-10 codes F10-F19 provide a detailed classification system for substance use disorders, specifying various substances and types of the disorder.

Common Substances Associated with Addiction

SUD is a disorder that can happen with a variety of substances. Some of the common substances linked to SUD include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol
Fentanyl
Percocet
Methadone

Alcohol has an initial impact on the brain and body that makes you feel more positive and less stressed. Many people will begin using alcohol for these reasons. However, once your brain experiences that dopamine release, it can begin to crave more of the same.

As alcohol leaves your system, you can experience withdrawal symptoms that increase levels of pain and discomfort. This may lead you to seek more alcohol use, thus perpetuating the cycle and leading to addiction.

Pain medications such as fentanyl, Percocet, and methadone have similar effects on the brain and body as alcohol. These substances specifically impact the opioid receptors in the brain. Using these drugs can produce euphoric effects that can become addictive.

FAQs

What is the DSM-5 Definition of Substance Use Disorder?

The DSM-5 defines substance use disorder as the repeated use of a substance despite its negative impact on your brain, behavior, and ability to function in everyday life.

How Does Therapy Help With Substance Use Disorder?

Therapy can help you in several ways including identifying triggers that cause you to use, learning better coping skills for life stresses and mental health struggles, and navigating relationship stress caused by substance use.

What’s the Difference Between DSM-5 and ICD-10 Classifications?

The DSM-5 classification is focused on the diagnostic criteria that mental health professionals use to identify psychological disorders. The ICD-10 classifications are medical and used for billing purposes by healthcare providers and insurance companies.

Can You Recover From SUD Without Therapy?

SUD is a treatable condition, but without therapy and sometimes medical intervention, your recovery chances are much lower. Therapy has been proven to help those with SUD recover from their condition.

Is Codependency Common in Substance Use Disorder?

Yes, codependency is commonly found in loved ones of those with SUD. Oftentimes, codependent partners may both have SUD and spur one another’s continued use due to their poor boundaries and enabling behaviors.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders

You can look out for certain signs and symptoms if you are concerned that you or a loved one is struggling with a substance use disorder.

Physical signs and symptoms include:

Changes in weight
Neglected appearance
Excessive sweating
Nausea or headaches

Behavioral signs and symptoms include:

Problems at school or work
Secrecy or trying to hide things
Lying
Withdrawing from family or friends
Losing interest in activities
Changes in sleeping patterns

Emotional signs and symptoms include:

Increased anxiety or irritability
Depression
Lack of motivation
Mood swings

Codependency is a related issue with SUD that may affect relationships and enable ongoing substance misuse.

You may be experiencing codependency if:

You have low self-esteem
You have trouble identifying your own emotions or needs in a relationship
You put your partner’s needs and feelings above your own
You feel an excessive sense of responsibility to care for others
You have trouble setting boundaries in relationships or saying no

How Therapy Helps in Recovery

Therapy is the main treatment course for SUD recovery. A few different therapeutic approaches can help with this disorder.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a common therapeutic approach in treating SUD. CBT focuses on helping you become more aware of your own thinking and behavioral patterns. In CBT treatment, you will most likely:

Identify triggers that cause you to want to use a substance
Learn coping skills to manage cravings
Practice positive self-talk to motivate you toward positive change
Process feelings rather than avoid them with substance use
Improve problem-solving skills
Learn relaxation and mindfulness techniques

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing is another effective technique used in treating SUD. This approach allows the practitioner to draw out your motivations and reasons for change rather than providing direct advice. Your therapist will provide empathy and understanding and help guide you toward acceptance and behavioral change.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is often suggested in the recovery process since SUDs can cause issues in relationships. Family therapy allows you to address both substance use and codependency issues with a trained professional. It may also help you learn better communication tools and how to help a loved one with coping skills along their recovery journey.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is an important component in most rehab centers for a few reasons including:

Peer support
Feeling less alone and isolated
Practicing interactive learning
Receiving and showing empathy around your recovery journey
Accountability

Support Systems and Recovery Options

Having a support system in place is imperative to your recovery journey. Many programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can complement your therapy work. These peer-led support groups provide you with a safe and judgment-free space to talk about your struggles and be encouraged by others on a similar journey.

AA also offers accountability by encouraging you to engage in the sponsor program, where you link up with someone further along in their recovery to help you as you navigate your own.

Often, you will find that treatment plans from therapists and medical professionals include support systems such as AA as an ongoing tool for long-term recovery. Therapy can be an incredibly effective tool as you seek treatment for SUD. Use our online platform to connect with a pre-vetted, qualified local therapist today.