Child development is marked by important transitions between developmental periods and the achievement of successive developmental milestones. How successfully or unsuccessfully a child meets the demands and challenges arising from a given transition, and whether the child meets milestones on an appropriate schedule, can affect his or her future course of development, including risk for substance use or other mental, emotional, or behavioral problems during adolescence. […]
Read More… from What Does the Life Course Perspective Show About Risk for Substance Use and How to Prevent It?
Nearly all substances directly or indirectly target the brain’s reward system by flooding the circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that regulate movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and reinforcement of rewarding behaviors. When activated at normal levels, this system rewards our natural behaviors. Overstimulating the system with substance, however, produces effects which strongly reinforce the behavior of substance use, teaching the person to repeat it. […]
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People may drink to socialize, celebrate, or relax. Alcohol often has a strong effect on people—and throughout history, people have struggled to understand and manage alcohol’s power. Why does alcohol cause people to act and feel differently? How much is too much? […]
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A person who’s trying to stop using substances can make mistakes, feel bad, and start using again. This return to substance use is called a relapse. Relapse is common and normal and happens to a lot of people recovering from substance use disorders. People will often have one or more relapses along the way. It takes practice to learn how to live without using substances. […]
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Many people who have substance use issues also have other mental health problems like depression, anxiety or Bipolar disorder. […]
Read More… from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Often Happen Together
Shared decision-making is an emerging best practice in behavioral and physical health that aims to help people in treatment and recovery have informed, meaningful, and collaborative discussions with providers about their health care services. […]
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Evaluating community prevention programs can be challenging. Community leaders often consult with evaluation experts, such as local universities or State agencies, to assist in evaluation design. […]
Read More… from How Can the Community Evaluate the Impact of Its Program on Substance Use?
Many substances can alter a person’s thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, drugged driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy. Information on commonly used substances with the potential for misuse or addiction can be found here. […]
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Peer support workers are people who have been successful in the recovery process who help others experiencing similar situations. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support workers help people become and stay engaged in the recovery process and reduce the likelihood of relapse. […]
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Substance use disorders change the brain in fundamental ways, changing a person’s normal needs and desires and replacing them with new priorities connected with seeking and using the substance. This results in compulsive behaviors that weaken the ability to control impulses, despite the negative consequences, and are similar to hallmarks of other mental illnesses. […]
Read More… from Comorbidity: Substance Use Disorders and Other Mental Illnesses
Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) offers tools to support shared decision-making. […]
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Prevention programs are generally designed for use in a particular setting, such as at home, at school, or within the community, but can be adapted for use in several settings. In addition, programs are also designed with the intended audience in mind: for everyone in the population, for those at greater risk, and for those already involved with substances or other problem behaviors. Some programs can be geared for more than one audience. […]
Read More… from Lessons from Prevention Research
Anyone can become addicted to opioids, even when prescribed by a doctor. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to manage pain that don’t involve opioids. If opioids are prescribed, talk to your doctor about the risks. Consider using a conversation checklist. […]
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Using a substance can feel really good for a short time. That’s why people keep taking them—to have those good feelings again and again. But even though someone can take more and more of a substance, the good feelings don’t last. Soon the person is taking the substance just to keep from feeling bad. […]
Read More… from Why Do People Use Substances?
As with other diseases and disorders, the likelihood of developing a Substance Use Disorder differs from person to person, and no single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to substances. In general, the more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking substances will lead to continued substance use and addiction. Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person’s risk. Risk and protective factors may be either environmental or biological. […]
Read More… from Why Do Some People Become Addicted to Substances, While Others Do Not?
The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) was first funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2014 as an expansion of its longstanding Community Epidemiology Workgroup (CEWG). Ongoing data collection will provide an integrated and comprehensive characterization of drug use and availability by synthesizing traditional, indirect sources with new, direct sources of data, as well as on-the-ground epidemiologic investigations within high-priority areas of concern. […]
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Substance Use Disorder is not a choice. Nobody is born with the idea that they want to choose to become addicted and lose control over their desire, intense desire to take substances. It’s something that you may have the vulnerability because actually, you have a genetic risk, family history, or because you have a very stressful environmental upbringing. The choice starts, and again it’s relative when you are exposed for the first time to the substance. And then some people become addicted and others do not. And that’s where a lot of the research is going. To try to understand what are the differences in that transition. […]
Read More… from Understanding the Basics of Substance Use Disorders
Research-backed prevention techniques are available for people of all ages. Whether your loved one is just starting junior high or an adult going through a difficult season, it’s critical to keep lines of communication open and to always come from a place of love and support rather than judgement. […]
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Childhood is a period of major growth and change. Youth tend to be uncertain about themselves and how they “fit in,” and at times they can feel overwhelmed by a need to please and impress their friends. These feelings can leave children open to peer pressure. Knowing your child’s friends and peers helps parents improve communication, reduce conflict, and teach responsibility. […]
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Encouragement is key to building confidence and a strong sense of self and helps parents promote cooperation and reduce conflict. Many successful people remember the encouragement of a parent, teacher, or other adults. Consistent encouragement helps youth feel good about themselves and gives them the confidence to try new activities, tackle different tasks, explore creativity, and make new friends. […]
Read More… from Encouragement is a Key Part of Prevention
A study conducted among 517 youth in the rural areas of the southeastern United States demonstrates the effectiveness of a parenting enhancement program in both preventing substance use and obesity, two potentially life-threatening conditions for which people living in disadvantaged communities are at an elevated risk. […]
Read More… from Parenting Programs Lead to Healthier Behaviors
Abundant research in psychology, human development, and other fields has shown that events and circumstances early in peoples’ lives influence future decisions, life events, and life circumstances—or what is called the life course trajectory. People who use substances typically begin doing so during adolescence or young adulthood, but the ground may be prepared for substance use much earlier, by circumstances and events that affect the child during the first several years of life and even before birth. […]
Read More… from Why is Early Childhood Important to Substance Use Prevention?
Setting limits helps parents teach self-control and responsibility, show care, and provide safe boundaries. It also provides youth with guidelines and teaches them the importance of following rules. Be ready to follow through. […]
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Risk and protective factors can affect children at different stages of their lives. At each stage, risks occur that can be changed through prevention intervention. Early childhood risks, such as aggressive behavior, can be changed or prevented with family, school, and community interventions that focus on helping children develop appropriate, positive behaviors. If not addressed, negative behaviors can lead to more risks, such as academic failure and social difficulties, which put children at further risk for later substance use. […]
Read More… from Substance Use in Youth: What Are Risk Factors and Protective Factors?
If you can’t stop using a substance, even if you want to, or the urge to use a substance feels too strong to control, you could be struggling with a substance use disorder. Ask yourself questions like: 1. Have I ever tried to stop using this substance but couldn’t? 2. Have I ever thought you couldn’t fit in or have a good time without using a substance? […]
Read More… from Do I Have a Substance Use Disorder?
Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Specifically, naloxone allows an overdose victim to breathe normally. It is not addictive and cannot be abused. Training on recognizing and responding to opioid overdose is encouraged and available for first responders and community members. Contact overdose.prevention@odmhsas.org for more information. […]
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Treatment is customizable and unique for every individual. Read these tips on finding quality treatment tailored to your specific needs. Finding the right treatment is crucial to your recovery. […]
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Yes! People who get treatment and stick with it can stop using or misusing substances. Recovery from substance use is a commitment to stopping use and learning new ways of thinking, feeling and dealing with problems. […]
Read More… from Can Substance Use be Treated?
You can tell your employer or friends you need to go on medical leave. If you talk to your doctor or another medical expert, privacy laws prevent them from sharing your medical information with anyone outside of the healthcare system without your permission. In addition, most health care providers who specialize in addiction treatment can’t share your information with anyone (even other providers) without your written permission. […]
Read More… from If I Seek Treatment, I’m Worried Other People Will Find Out
To understand substance use, it’s crucial to understand the impacts of substances on the brain that can lead to addiction and unfamiliar behaviors in individuals. Learn about the effects of substances on the brain and the steps communities can take to combat substance use. […]
Read More… from Finding the Logic
The doctor will ask you a series of questions about your use of alcohol and substances and other risky behaviors like driving under the influence or riding with other people who have been using substances or alcohol. Your doctor can help you the best if you tell the truth. The doctor might also ask for a urine and/or blood test. This will provide important information about your substance use and how it is affecting your health. […]
Read More… from If I Seek Treatment, What Will the Doctor Ask Me?
Gender-related substance use treatment should attend not only to biological differences but also to social and environmental factors, all of which can influence the motivations for substance use, the reasons for seeking treatment, the types of environments where treatment is obtained, the treatments that are most effective, and the consequences of not receiving treatment. […]
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Though all treatment is unique to the individual, self-help groups can complement and extend the effects of professional treatment. The most prominent self-help groups are those affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Cocaine Anonymous (CA), all of which are based on the 12-step model. […]
Read More… from Do I Need a 12-step or Self-help Program?
People with substance-use disorders have a unique risk for developing one or more primary conditions or chronic diseases. The coexistence of both a mental illness and a substance use disorder is common among individuals undergoing medication-assisted treatment or MAT. […]
Read More… from Treatment for People with Co-Occuring Disorders
Treatment approaches must be tailored to address each patient’s substance use patterns and also other medical, psychiatric, and social problems. Some treatment centers offer outpatient treatment programs, which allow patients to continue to perform some daily responsibilities. However, many people do better in inpatient (residential) treatment. […]
Read More… from What Should I Look for in a Treatment Center?
Asking for help is the first important step. If you have a good relationship with your parents, you should start there. […]
Read More… from I’m a Teen With a Substance Use Issue… Where Do I Start?
It’s common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn’t mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs. […]
Read More… from Does My Loved One’s Relapse Mean They Won’t Ever Get Over Their Substance Use?
Many employers, friends, and family members will be compassionate if they see a person is making a sincere effort to recover from a substance use problem. But you can also reassure your friend that laws protect the privacy of a person seeking drug treatment—or in fact, any medical treatment. […]
Read More… from My Friend has Considered Treatment but is Afraid of What Others Will Think. What Can I Tell My Friend?
Substance use changes the function of the brain, and many things can “trigger” substance cravings within the brain. While a loved one is in treatment, it is critical to learn how to recognize, avoid and help them cope with the triggers they will face in the outside world. […]
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If your child talks to a doctor or other medical expert, privacy laws might prevent that expert from sharing the information with you. However, you can speak to the doctor before your child’s appointment and express your concerns, so the doctor knows the importance of a substance use screening in your child’s situation. In addition, most health care providers that specialize in substance treatment can’t share your information with anyone (even other providers) without your written permission. […]
Read More… from If My Teen or Young Adult Confides in Their Doctor, Will I be Able to Find Out What’s Going on?
If your child has health insurance, it may cover substance use treatment services. Many insurance plans offer inpatient stays. When setting up appointments with treatment centers, you can ask about payment options and what insurance plans they take. They can also advise you on low-cost options. […]
Read More… from My Child or Loved One Has a Substance Use Issue… How Will We Pay for Treatment?
Because successful outcomes often depend on a person’s staying in treatment long enough to reap its full benefits, strategies for keeping people in treatment are critical. Whether a patient stays in treatment depends on factors associated with both the individual and the program. Individual factors related to engagement and retention typically include motivation to change drug-using behavior; degree of support from family and friends; and, frequently, pressure from the criminal justice system, child protection services, employers, or family. […]
Read More… from What Helps People Stay in Treatment?
Trying to locate appropriate treatment for a loved one, especially finding a program tailored to an individual’s particular needs, can be a difficult process. However, there are some resources to help with this process […]
Read More… from Where Can Family Members go for Information on Treatment Options?
Substance use treatment is most effective when tailored to the individual receiving it. Knowing that, it is important to note that gender plays a role in finding maximally effective treatment and that substance use disorders in women may progress differently than for men, often moving more quickly from first use to a substance use disorder. […]
Read More… from Substance Use Disorders and Women
If someone you love has Substance Use Disorder, you’re probably experiencing a variety of emotions. Confusion, concern, and heartbreak are all a normal part of supporting a friend or family member through SUD. Though challenging, your support is useful and necessary, and will provide a greater chance of recovery for the person you love. What […]
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Using substances during pregnancy poses health risks for both the pregnant mother and the unborn child in the long and short term. The majority of substances (including opioids and stimulants) have proven to be harmful by possibly increasing the risk of miscarriage or causing migraines, seizures, or high blood pressure to the mother, which can […]
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Pain interference is a measure of a person’s difficulty with performing daily, social, or work-related tasks that is due to pain. Pain self-efficacy is a person’s confidence in his or her ability to manage pain. A study with participants with high pain intensity aimed to determine characteristics associated with high pain interference. […]
Read More… from Managing Patients’ Pain: Insights From a Primary Care Provider
There are often warning signs of someone developing a substance use problem. Some warning signs include: hanging out with different friends, not caring about appearance, performing worse at school or work, and losing interest in favorite activities. […]
Read More… from How Do I Know if Someone Has a Substance Use Problem?
