SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Substance use disorder is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug, medication, phone or computer, or sexual act. When one is afflicted, they may continue using the drug, device or engage in excessive sexual activity despite the harm it causes to your health, work and/or relationships.

Substance use disorder can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations, and, for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, substance use disorder begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medication.

The risk of substance use disorder and how fast you become afflicted varies by drug. Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause it more quickly than others.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to function without it.

Phone or computer issues are marked by a preoccupation with device that interferes with work, relationships and sleep. The device is turned to when you are experiencing unwanted feelings of anxiety or depression.

Sexual compulsion is the lack of control over sexual thoughts, urges, or impulses. The sexual behaviors are excessive and cause significant negative consequences. Engaging in pornography is a common sexual compulsion and may cause sexual dysfunction as real life sexual activity becomes less and less arousing. You may have a compulsion to certain sexual acts, prostitution. sexual fantasy, masturbation and exhibitionism or voyeurism.

Substance use disorder can be affectively addressed by our highly skilled therapists here at Kennedy Counseling. It has a genetic component and may be used to relieve feelings of anxiety or depression. It may be situational and a reaction to stress or long term. Treatment consists of first trying the ‘harm reduction” approach which is limiting the behavior or use to an acceptable amount that does not cause psychological or physical issues. If limiting is not possible (and this becomes clear quickly) psychotherapy along with Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and support groups for device and sexual compulsion, along with medication may be used. If the substance use disorder is severe and not responding we refer to inpatient or intensive outpatient programs.