Helping those suffering from Substance Use Disorder

April 19, 2024

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Substance Use Disorder Overview

In the journey of helping those suffering from substance use disorder (SUD), it is essential to first understand the nature of this condition. This section aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of SUD and its impact on families.

Understanding SUD

Substance use disorder (SUD) is identified as a mental health disorder that involves a problematic pattern of substance use, causing distress and impairing one's life. The severity of this disorder can vary from mild to severe addiction, and it often involves an overpowering desire to use the substance, increased tolerance to the substance, and withdrawal symptoms when the substance is stopped.

SUD affects people of all ages, races, genders, and socioeconomic levels. However, it is more likely to develop in people assigned male at birth (AMAB), and the highest rates of substance use/misuse are found among people aged 18 to 25. Over 20 million people in the United States have at least one substance use disorder, and about 20% of people with depression or an anxiety disorder also have a substance use disorder.

Impact on Families

Substance use disorder has a significant impact on families, affecting emotional and behavioral patterns, and often resulting in poor outcomes for both children and adults with SUDs. The impact includes disruption of attachment, rituals, roles, routines, communication, social life, and finances. Families with a parent with a SUD often experience an environment of secrecy, loss, conflict, violence or abuse, emotional chaos, role reversal, and fear.

Children living in a home where there is substance abuse are at an increased risk of experiencing child abuse and neglect. They are also at a higher risk of developing externalizing and internalizing disorders, such as conduct problems, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

Therefore, it is crucial to seek help as soon as signs of SUD develop to mitigate these impacts and initiate the path to healing. The subsequent sections provide insight into the tools and resources available for assisting those with SUD and their families on this journey.

Common Addictive Substances

In order to provide support for those suffering from substance use disorder (SUD), it's crucial to understand the common addictive substances, their prevalence, and their effects. This knowledge helps in identifying the issues, providing appropriate treatments, and creating a recovery plan.

Substance Hierarchy

There is a hierarchy among addictive substances based on their prevalence. It's important to note that the level of addiction and harmfulness varies greatly for each substance. The substances are listed from most to least common according to Mercy:

Alcohol
Nicotine
Marijuana
Opioids
Inhalants

Prevalence and Effects

Understanding the prevalence and effects of these substances can be instrumental in helping those struggling with SUD.

Alcohol: In 2020, 10.2% (or 28.3 million) people aged 12 or older in the United States reported struggling with an alcohol use disorder (AUD), making it the most commonly abused substance in the country.
Nicotine: Nicotine addiction affected 8.5% (or about 23.6 million) of individuals aged 12 or older in 2020, with tobacco products causing nearly 480,000 deaths each year, making it the most lethal addictive substance in the country [3].
Marijuana: In 2020, around 5.1% (or 14.2 million) of Americans aged 12 or older experienced marijuana use disorder, with marijuana addiction potentially increasing due to its growing social acceptance and rising potency levels over the past decade.
Opioids: Opioid use disorder affected 1.1% (or 2.7 million) of individuals aged 12 or older in 2020, contributing to a public health crisis with opioid-related deaths rising to 100,306 in 2021, signifying a nearly 30% increase from the previous year.
Inhalants: Inhalant addiction affected approximately 0.9% (or 2.4 million) of Americans aged 12 or older in 2020, highlighting the extreme danger of inhalants due to their immediate and intense effects leading to hospitalization or death.

These facts and figures underscore the extent of the issue and the importance of providing effective treatment and resources for those impacted by SUD. By understanding the prevalence and effects of these substances, we can better equip ourselves to provide help and support to those in need.

Support Groups in Recovery

Support groups play an instrumental role in aiding individuals during their recovery journey from substance use disorder (SUD). These groups offer a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences, gaining insights, and receiving emotional backing.

Role in SUD Recovery

Support groups are pivotal in the recovery pathway for those grappling with SUD. By fostering a sense of community, these groups facilitate an atmosphere of shared accountability and motivation, which is often crucial for long-term recovery. The exchange of information and personal experiences, combined with the emotional support offered, can be transformative for individuals working towards recovery.

These groups may follow various models, such as 12-step programs or other structured strategies, that provide a framework for recovery. By weaving together personal experiences, coping strategies, and mutual empathy, support groups can empower those in recovery to navigate their path towards sobriety.

Benefits of Peer Support

Peer support in the context of recovery can be defined as the process of giving and receiving nonprofessional, nonclinical assistance from individuals who share similar conditions or circumstances. The goal of peer support is to facilitate long-term recovery from psychiatric, alcohol, and/or other drug-related problems.

The benefits of peer support groups are multifaceted. They have been linked to positive outcomes across various aspects of recovery, including:

Reduced substance use
Higher engagement in treatment
Decreased risk behaviors related to HIV/Hepatitis C
Reduced secondary substance-related behaviors such as cravings
Improved self-efficacy

Specifically, peer support groups have been shown to lead to sustained recovery from substance use disorders, with high rates of abstinence from alcohol or drugs reported at 6 months. They also have a significant impact on reducing relapse rates and decreasing rates of return to homelessness among individuals in recovery [5]. Furthermore, peer support services, including peer support groups, have been effective in engaging substance-using populations in treatment, leading to increased adherence to outpatient substance abuse treatment appointments after discharge [5].

In conclusion, support groups and peer support play a significant role in aiding those suffering from substance use disorder towards the path of recovery. Their benefits extend beyond the individual, contributing to healthier, more resilient communities.

Family Dynamics in SUD

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) impacts more than the individual struggling with addiction. It extends to the family unit, causing substantial shifts in relationships and posing significant risks to children in the household. This section explores these effects and the potential dangers associated with parental substance abuse.

Effects on Relationships

SUD can disrupt the harmony of a family, causing strain in relationships among family members. The effects of drug and alcohol addiction often lead to conflict, erode trust, and make communication more difficult. This can manifest in various ways, such as disruption of attachment, rituals, roles, routines, communication, social life, and finances.

In severe cases, addiction-related changes can lead to marriages ending. Family systems theory explains how SUD impacts the entire family. Family members may inadvertently sabotage treatment with their own behaviors as they respond to changes in the individual using substances. Understanding the current developmental stage of a family can inform the assessment of impairment and determination of appropriate interventions.

Risks to Children

Children growing up in homes with substance abuse face greater risks. They are more likely to develop substance use disorders in adulthood, and they also face a higher risk of neglect or abuse. This can lead to delays in learning and development, mental and emotional disorders, and dysfunctional attachments in adulthood.

Teens who have experienced parental substance abuse are more likely to abuse substances themselves in adulthood. Influenced by external factors such as peer pressure and internal factors like genetics, teenage addiction can negatively impact the entire family. This can potentially lead to teens running away from home and being exposed to various forms of exploitation.

Children with parents who have a SUD may develop an insecure attachment, leading to anxiety, depression, and failure to thrive [2]. Additionally, these children are at an increased risk of experiencing child abuse and neglect. They are also at a higher risk of developing externalizing and internalizing disorders, such as conduct problems, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

In these situations, social workers can provide crucial support, therapy, and interventions to help children and families affected by parental substance abuse. This underscores the importance of seeking professional help when dealing with the impact of Substance Use Disorders on family dynamics.

Technology in Recovery

In the journey to recovery from substance use disorder, technology has emerged as a promising tool. With the advent of the Internet and mobile phones, new models of behavioral health care have become possible, facilitating real-time data collection outside traditional care settings.

Tech-Based Interventions

Technology-based interventions in the field of substance use disorder recovery can take various forms, including computer-assisted behavior therapies, prevention interventions, and recovery support programs. These tools can extend the reach of evidence-based interventions, offering on-demand access to therapeutic support and transcending geographic boundaries, thereby proving to be cost-effective [7].

One such program is the Therapeutic Education System, a web-based psychosocial skills training intervention for individuals with substance use disorders. This program has demonstrated efficacy, producing drug abstinence rates equivalent to therapy delivered by highly trained clinicians and significantly greater abstinence rates than standard treatment.

Another innovative tool is Addiction CHESS, a smartphone-based recovery support system. This tool has been found to reduce heavy drinking days by 46% in alcohol-dependent participants. It provides personalized monitoring and support, including a global positioning system to help individuals avoid high-risk areas.

Effectiveness of Digital Tools

The effectiveness of digital tools in aiding recovery from substance use disorders is increasingly being recognized. In addition to their standalone benefits, these tools can also be used in collaboration with traditional models of intervention delivery, or even in primary care settings. Their flexibility allows individuals to play leading roles in their own care management.

The digital nature of these tools also makes them particularly relevant in settings with limited access to care, such as rural areas. For example, individuals in these areas can use smartphone-based support systems, like Addiction CHESS, to receive personalized monitoring and support, even if they are geographically distant from their healthcare provider.

In summary, technology in recovery is proving to be a game-changer, helping those suffering from substance use disorder by providing innovative and accessible tools for therapy, prevention, and recovery support. As technology continues to evolve, it is likely that its role and effectiveness in aiding recovery will continue to grow. (Source)

Seeking Help and Resources

For individuals and families navigating the journey of substance use disorder recovery, there are numerous resources available that can provide assistance and support. This section will explore some of the treatment options and support services available.

Treatment Options

The route to recovery from substance use disorder can vary greatly from person to person. It's essential to find a treatment program that fits the individual's specific needs and circumstances. Some of the treatment options available include inpatient rehab, outpatient programs, individual therapy, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.

Indigenous peoples, specifically First Nation, Inuit, or Métis persons, can access culturally sensitive resources such as the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program and the National Youth Solvent Abuse Program, as well as treatment centers.

A key component of many treatment programs is mental health support. This is due to the strong links between substance use and mental health issues. Help is available for individuals or those who know someone struggling with mental health challenges.

Support Services Available

In addition to treatment programs, there are a multitude of support services available to assist individuals and families affected by substance use disorder.

Canada-wide services are available for individuals seeking help with substance use, including overdose prevention and tobacco cessation. These resources are accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

For parents seeking help with substance use disorders, various support services are available including online parent support groups and a 24/7 Parent-to-Parent Support line [8].

For overdose prevention, there is a comprehensive list of pharmacies that carry naloxone, along with information on how, why, and when to use a naloxone kit.

Seeking help for substance use disorder can be a challenging and daunting process, but it's important to remember that there is a wide array of resources available. Whether you or a loved one are in need of treatment or simply looking for support, these resources offer a starting point towards the path of recovery.