ALCOHOL, DRUGS, MEDICATIONS, SMOKING

Many who develop a substance use problem have depression, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, or another mental problem. A stressful or chaotic lifestyle and low self-esteem are also common. Substance use disorder occurs when a person’s use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to health issues or problems at work, school, or home.

Children who grow up seeing their parents using drugs may have a high risk of developing substance use problem later in life for both environmental and genetic reasons.

SUD is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, smoking, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD. Various factors influence a person’s risk of developing a psychological disorder, including biological, social, environmental, cultural, and economic factors.