|
|---|
|
Substance Use Disorder
There are two major categories of substance use disorders: abuse and dependence.
Abuse is defined as the continued use of a substance despite significant adverse consequences related to the use of the substance. This leads to failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school and home. This misuse often, if not most of the time, leads to dependency.
Dependence is defined as the continued use of a substance despite significant problems, such as failure to function in work, school or home, as in abuse of the substance. The individual continues to self administrate the substance resulting in tolerance, withdrawal and compulsive drug-taking behavior.
Sometimes individuals with substance use disorders also have a mental illness. In cases where a person has both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, the person is said to have a "co-occurring disorder", or "dual diagnosis". Dual diagnosis services are treatments for people who suffer from co-occurring disorders -- mental illness and substance abuse. Research has strongly indicated that to recover fully, an individual with co-occurring disorder needs treatment for both problems. Focusing on one does not ensure the other will go away. Dual diagnosis services integrate assistance for each condition, helping people recover from both in one setting, at the same time.
Visit the Health Education Matters website to take an online screening to see if you or a loved one might have this disorder.
To determine eligibility for CMH services, contact the St. Clair County Community Mental Health ACCESS customer services hotline Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at 1-888-225-4447. Crisis help also is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Links of Interest:
