How Can Substance-Related Disorders Be Treated?

Substance-Related Disorders have the ability to have a profound effect on the lives of those who suffer from the conditions, as well as those around them.

They have numerous physical effects, as well as mental. Due to this, getting treatment is crucial.

In the majority of cases, treatment can result in a full recovery – which leads to an improvement in quality of life, and hopefully, a longer and more healthy life.

What are Substance-Related Disorders?

Substance-Related Disorders: Substance-Related Disorders are a category of conditions which involve any form of substance abuse, substance dependence, and disorders that specifically arise from drug abuse. There are two distinct types of Substance-Related Disorders – Substance-Induced Disorders and Substance Use Disorders. Substance-Induced Disorders refers to the immediate effects (e.g. intoxication) or discontinuation (e.g. withdrawal) of substance use. Substance Use Disorders meanwhile involve the negative consequences that arise from continued use of substances – typically involving addiction.

Treatment Information

The exact treatment plan that an individual will receive depends on a range of factors. Firstly, the type of substance-related disorder that is present will be important.

Substance-Induced Disorders and Substance Use Disorders are the two different types of disorders – with each having their own treatment plan.

Going into further depth, even within these categories, treatment will range – with circumstance a key consideration.

Treatment of Substance-Related Disorders

The important consideration with substance-induced disorders is that the disorders should clear up on their own, once the effect of withdrawal and intoxication have worn off. In instances when they don’t, and the disorder persists, medication is possible. Typically, medication would be prescribed in the short-term.

Unlike Substance-Induced Disorders, Substance Use Disorders will very, very rarely clear up on their own. Therefore, a multiple-faceted approach to treatment should be taken. Therapy, detoxification, medication and self-help are all factors involved.

Self-help

Any recovery from substance-related disorders must involve the individual, who should enter treatment motivated to change their ways.

Without the individual involved putting in substantial effort, the chances are treatment won’t work effectively. But with the right effort and motivation, treatment can certainly work.

Additional support can include Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, with various offshoots available around the world.

Detoxification

Generally, the first step involved is detoxification. This is the process where an individual gradually stops taking the substance.

A nurse or doctor can help provide a detoxification plan, which hopefully will be supported by family members and friends.

Detoxification will return the individual to a state pre-substance consumption. It therefore builds the foundation for a recovery.

However, while detoxification deals with the dependence and addiction, it does not address the psychological element. This is where therapy can help.

Talking Therapy

Some form of talking therapy can be very useful. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Family Therapy are two particular therapies that can provide help.

Therapy help an individual to learn more about their behaviour, and the effects it has on those around them. A key goal is to try and plan a method for avoiding addictive substances – therefore hopefully preventing this occasion from happening again.

Therapy also tries to teach healthier ways of living, and non-harmful ways of finding satisfaction. Types of therapy that could be effective include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that is used to treat a range of mental health conditions. CBT involves an individual talking face-to-face with a therapist, although sometimes CBT can be conducted in a group setting. CBT attempts to improve an individual’s wellbeing and mood. The therapy focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings and actions. This can be useful for those with low self-esteem, anxiety, unhelpful personality traits or intrusive thoughts. CBT can help an individual understand their feelings more, and in the long run should lead to an improvement in quality of life.

Family Therapy: Family therapy is a form of therapy that is delivered with close family members. The therapy can focus on how a person’s actions have caused problems for their wider family. In many cases, the family will be told not to condone nor reward behaviour that is associated with their problematic behaviour. In theory, by seeing the damage their behaviour can cause, this can help the individual change their behaviour.

There are a range of other types of talking therapy, aside from the above.

Medication

Substance-Induced Disorders shouldn’t need to be treated by a psychotropic medicine. But if agitation is present, or symptoms are difficult to deal with, an antidepressant or benzodiazepine could be prescribed.

With Substance Use Disorders, while this may seem counter-productive, medication can help. Many medications actually have a license for substance abuse treatment.

For example, medications like Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone and even the antidepressant Bupropion all can be useful.

The medication that is used will depend upon the substance that is being abused. For instance, a medication named Disulfiram is particularly useful for treating alcohol-related disorders.

Medication can also be prescribed for comorbid conditions, for instance a type of antidepressant may be prescribed if the individual also has a form of Depression.

Antidepressants can help to improve low mood and poor motivation, while Benzodiazepines are useful for when an individual is agitated or highly anxious.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants can help to improve and regulate mood. They should improve motivation and restore energy. SSRI Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed. They act on the brain chemical serotonin – which is thought to help in regulating mood and emotion. They may include side-effects such as a dry mouth, sexual problems and nausea, though these should hopefully be short-term. Other classes of antidepressants are available in the event of an inadequate reaction.

Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines are fast-acting sedatives, which can relax an individual and improve their mood. Any anxiety should fade rapidly upon consumption. The individual should therefore have an improved level of functioning. Benzodiazepines cannot be taken for more than a few weeks, due to acute risk of both physical and psychological dependence.

Summary

Substance-Related Disorders are very challenging conditions to live with – both for the person with the condition, and those around them.

Treatment is available though, and improved wellbeing and overall health is a very realistic goal.

See Also

1. Substance-Related Disorders: Everything You Need to Know
2. What Are The Different Types of Substance-Related Disorders?
3. What Are The Symptoms of Substance-Related Disorders?
4. What Are The Causes of Substance-Related Disorders?
5. How are Substance-Related Disorders Diagnosed?
6. How Can Substance-Related Disorders be Treated?
7. What is the Prognosis for Substance-Related Disorders?
8. 10 Tips for Living With Substance-Related Disorders