Substance Use Disorder

Long term use of alcohol affects a person’s mental and physical health. It destroys social relations and family bonds leading to a helpless situation at the end.

Diagnosis of alcohol dependence

According to ICD10,
A definite diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if three or more of
the following have been present together at some time during the previous
year:

(1) A strong desire or sense of compulsion to take the substance;

(2) Difficulties in controlling substance-taking behavior in terms of its onset, termination, or levels of use;

(3) A physiological withdrawal state when substance use has ceased or been reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal syndrome for the substance; or use of the same (or a closely related substance with the intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;

(4) Evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of the psychoactive substance are
required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses (clear examples of this are found in alcohol- and opiate-dependent individuals who may take daily doses sufficient to incapacitate or kill nontolerant users);

(5) Progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of psychoactive substance use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the substance or to recover from its effects;

(6) Persisting with substance use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful consequences, such as harm to the liver through excessive drinking, depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

Alcohol and Physical disorders
How it affects Mental Health?
How to treat Alcohol dependence?
Cannabis
What can be done to prevent dependence?

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