Substance Related and Addictive Disorders
Mental Health Treatment, Boise, ID

Substance abuse disorders can be classified into several different subtypes. These include alcohol-related disorders, caffeine-related disorders, cannabis-related disorders, hallucinogen-related disorders, inhalant-related disorders, opioid-related disorders, sedative-, hypnotic-, or anxiolytic-related disorders, stimulant-related disorders, and tobacco-related disorders.

Any of these substance-use disorders may be present with a problematic pattern of use of an intoxicating substance that may lead to clinically significant impairment or distress over a 12-month period. Several of the following criteria will be present:

  1. The substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than was initially intended.
  2. There is a persistent desire for unsuccessful effort to cut down or control the use of the substance.
  3. A great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the substance, use of substance, or recover from its effects.
  4. Craving or strong desire or urge to use the substance.
  5. Recurrent use of the substance resulting in failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.
  6. Continued use of the substance despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of its use.
  7. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of use of the substance.
  8.  Recurrent use of the substance in situations in which it is physically hazardous.
  9. Use of the substance is continued despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to be caused or exacerbated by the substance.
  10. Tolerance which is a need for markedly increased amounts of the substance to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
  11. Withdrawal symptoms when the substance is discontinued.

Other addictive disorders may include gambling, sexual addiction, or Internet/computer/video game addition.

Psychiatric treatment for the above-mentioned addictive disorders mainly focuses on behavioral interventions, psychotherapy, and sometimes medication management to decrease symptoms of craving, anxiety, or withdrawal.