How can you tell if someone is exhibiting signs of Substance Use Disorder (SUD)? Many people aren’t aware that addiction and substance use is a clinically diagnosable disease. However, the criteria may not fit perfectly into an individual’s unique and personal experience. Symptoms vary on a case-by-case basis, and an individual need not experience all symptoms to receive a diagnosis. In fact, the severity of Substance Use Disorder is scaled based on the number of symptoms an individual experiences. Let’s discuss this scale, symptoms, and the contributing factors of this serious disorder.
Tag: alcohol abuse
Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: What to Know Before Detox
Withdrawal by itself is scary, but some severe cases develop into Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). This condition can be life-threatening if not monitored and treated properly by medical professionals. Below is everything you need to know before entering detox for alcohol dependency.
Depression, Substance Abuse, and the ‘Pandemic Effect’
According to a study conducted by the Boston University School of Public Health, depression rates among U.S. adults tripled from an average of 8.5% to 27.8% during the early months of 2020 with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic; this number saw a steady increase to 32.8% in 2021, with depression affecting 1 out of […]
High-Intensity Drinking vs. Binge Drinking: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options
High-intensity drinking is a dangerous emerging trend that comes with serious health consequences for those who engage in the activity. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines this pattern of drinking as consuming alcohol “at levels that are two or more times the gender-specific binge drinking thresholds [1].” This type of drinking […]
What Are The Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Addiction?
When an individual develops an alcohol addiction, their physical health suffers, their relationships suffer, and the lives of others around them are negatively impacted as well. What may initially start as a beer or glass of wine each day may easily turn into something more dangerous, so it’s important to be able to recognize the […]
What Are the Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction?
Updated on July 15th, 2020 Addiction is a serious disease that not only affects the addicted individual, but also the friends, family, co-workers and many others involved in his or her life. People with a substance abuse problem often have a distorted way of thinking and behaving because they are controlled by a compulsive urge […]