Substance use disorder is a medical term describing a pattern of behaviour where the use of a substance (drugs, alcohol, etc.) impacts the user with significant functional distress. Substance use disorder can be indicated as missing work/school/responsibilities, using substances in dangerous situations such as driving a car or impacting relationships of friends and family with various forms of abuse. This disorder may also lead to substance-related legal concerns or permanent damage within relationships that have been impacted. Some substance abuse concerns are easily ‘covered-up’ while others are more obvious. Substance abuse disorder works within a wide range of intensity and may be difficult for those with this disorder to immediately identify. Through therapeutic support, we can support clients to get to the ‘root’ of why substance abuse has been a ‘necessary numbing’ behaviour and what healthier tools could be put in place to support a shift from substance abuse to healthier coping.
Why We Are All Addicts
We tend to explore substance abuse and addiction as an extreme and ‘outsider’ concept that is disconnected from our own lives. Have you ever considered how you may be an addict in how you manage uncomfortable and difficult emotions? Have you ever thought, ‘Do I have a drinking problem?’, ‘Do I work to get away?’, ‘Do I feel I am chained by golden handcuffs and cannot escape the pressure?’. So many thoughts like this can increase your likelihood of addictive behaviours. Unfortunately, many of these behaviours can be socially or easily accessible and, therefore, challenging to clarify. Here is a video to help you consider how your behaviours may be reflective of ‘negative coping’ rather than thriving. We hope to support you in getting to the root of your concerns, thereby reducing addictive behaviours overall.
Substance use disorder?
A recognized medical brain disorder refers to the use of illegal substances, such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Or the misuse of legal substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medicines. Alcohol is the most common legal drug associated with substance use disorder. Courtesy of John Hopkins Medicine.
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Alcohol & Drug Use
In the last Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey in 2012, it was estimated that 21.6% of Canada’s population met the criteria for a substance use disorder. That is close to 8 million people suffering from addiction in Canada. Courtesy of Addiction Center.
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