Understanding Substance Use Problems

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of substance use, substance use disorders (SUDs), and co-occurring disorders (CODs, or SUDs combined with psychiatric illness). The authors address current trends in substance use, challenges for practitioners, the importance of a therapeutic alliance with clients, causes and effects of SUDs, classification of SUDs based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and specific symptoms of a SUD. A substance problem exists when an individual experiences any difficulty or adverse effect caused by the use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. These include illicit street drugs and prescription drugs with addiction potential used for pain, anxiety, sleep, and attention deficit disorder.