SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
DEPRESSANTS
WHAT IS IT?
Substance/Depressants
- Substance: any natural or synthesized product that has psychoactive effects-changed perceptions, thoughts, emotions and behaviors (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014).
- Depressants: alcohol, benzodiazepines and barbiturates, hypnotics, inhalants and most sleeping medications (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014 & Schuckit, 2006).
*barbiturates: Seconal
Causes/Sources of Substance Use Disorder: Depressants
- MENTAL ILLNESS: (Schuckit, 2006), ((Gau, Yang, Yang, Yiang, Chang, 2006)
- Major Anxiety Disorders
- Social phobias
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Conduct Disorder
- BIOLOGICAL/SOCIAL INFLUENCES: (Gau, Yang, Yang, Yiang, Chang, 2006)
- Being of the male gender (although females are still at risk)
- Family history of misuse
- Low socioeconomic status
- Inappropriate peer influence
- Academic underachievement
Treatment Options
Psychosocial treatments are also used which includes behavioral treatments, cognitive treatments and motivational interviewing (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014). Psychosocial treatments prevent relapse while identifying triggers and promotes commitment to changing substance use (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2014).
Depending on your specific situation, treatment may include outpatient facilities, inpatient treatment or hospitalization, or treatment in a therapeutic community which would be highly controlled and drug-free (Parekh, 2015).
You can use this website to help locate treatment facilities anywhere in the United States: findtreatment.samhsa.gov.
What To Look For in a Psychologist/Therapist
Another important thing to keep in mind after finding a professional is that if you do not connect with them, it is acceptable to try another therapist or psychologist. In order to receive help, feeling comfortable with the professional helping/guiding you is very important.
You can find a professional by using this website:
Common Myths and Misperceptions
- if you have a high school tolerance then you don't have a problem
- you need to be religious in order to get sober
- if you have a stable job and family life, then you are not addicted
- if someone in recovery uses drugs or alcohol again, they'll be right back where they were when they first quit
- addicts are bad people
References
Carise, D. (2010, November 10). Ten Popular Myths About Drugs, Addiction, and Recovery. Retrieved from http://www.phoenixhouse.org/news-and-views/our-perspectives/ten-popular-myths-drugs-addiction-recovery/
Gau, S. S., Chong, M., Yang, P., Yang, C., Yiang, K., & Chang, A. T. (2006). Psychiatric and Psychosocial Predictors of Substance Use Disorders Among Adolescents. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(1), 42-48. Retrieved from http://bjp.rcpsych.org/content/190/1/42.full
How to Choose a Psychologist. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/choose-therapist.aspx
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2014). Looking at Abnormality. In Abnormal Psychology (6th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Parekh, R. (2015, July). What Is Addiction? Retrieved from http://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction
Schuckit, M. (2006). Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment (6th ed.). New York, NY: Springer Science Business Media. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=X1DADvkJ9v0C&oi=fnd&pg=PA28&dq=substance use disorder depressants&ots=APQD0tKgwM&sig=P23RGdzcy3mtAADtelGknH261bk#v=onepage&q=substance use disorder depressants&f=false