Substance Related Abuse Disorders

The DSM-IV explains many substance-related disorders that occur when an individual is intoxicated by, withdrawing from, using, abusing, or dependence upon possibly more drugs. There are two mutual types of substance-related disorders, which are substance abuse and substance dependence. The DSM-IV interprets substance abuse as a maladaptive pattern of drug use that ends in repeated negative consequences. These consequences may be legal, social, work related, or school related problems. An individual may even use drugs in situations where it is physically dangerous to do so.

Substance abuse is a critical public health issue that affects nearly every community and family in one way or another. Drug abuse affects about 40 million individuals each year in regard to illness or injuries. Some of these drugs include amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, and prescription drugs. Drug abuse also plays a part in social problems, such as drunk driving, violence, and many forms of abuse. Homelessness, missed work, or even holding down a job can be caused by drug abuse. There are many types of treatment for drug abuse, but the best treatment is to not abuse drugs in the first place.

Substance dependence, also known as drug addiction, involves using a drug continuously regardless of physical or psychological costs. The determinants of substance dependence are known as the Three C's, which are continued use in spite of the consequences, compulsive use, and loss of control of use (Hansell and Damour, 2008). An individual who is addicted to drugs may try unsuccessfully to give up said drug or may perhaps develop a tolerance for the drug. An individual may also experience withdrawal symptoms, which can include sweating, nausea, shakiness, or irritability when he or she reduces or stops taking a drug.

According to Hansell and Damour (2008), biological components are crucial to understanding substance abuse and dependence because of the effects that substances have on the body. Every substance has an affect on the body while using a drug and when withdrawing from a drug. Researchers are always looking at genetics and those individuals who fall prey to substance abuse and dependence. Since the introduction of endorphins, researchers are looking into the possibility that some individuals may have deficient levels of these naturally occurring painkillers. There is also evidence that shows alcoholism runs in families; however, this evidence is not conclusive because families share environments.

The behavioral components of substance abuse make a considerable investment to treating and explaining the abuse of substances. Operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and social/leaning model all play a key role in treating, as well as explaining, substance abuse. Operant conditioning brings about strong states of emotion, which is also known as positive reinforcement. It also lessens unacceptable ones, which is negative reinforcement.