Substance use disorder (SUD) is the persistent use of drugs despite substantial harm and adverse consequences to self and others.[7] Related terms include substance use problems[8] and problematic drug or alcohol use.[9][10]
Substance use disorders vary with regard to the average age of onset.[11] It is not uncommon for those who have SUD to also have other mental health disorders. Substance use disorders are characterized by an array of mental, emotional, physical, and behavioral problems such as chronic guilt; an inability to reduce or stop consuming the substance(s) despite repeated attempts; operating vehicles while intoxicated; and physiological withdrawal symptoms.[7] Drug classes that are commonly involved in SUD include: alcohol (alcoholism); cannabis; opioids; stimulants such as nicotine (including tobacco), cocaine and amphetamines; benzodiazepines; barbiturates; and other substances.[7][12]
In 2017, globally 271 million people (5.5% of adults) were estimated to have used one or more illicit drugs.[16] Of these, 35 million had a substance use disorder.[16] An additional 237 million men and 46 million women have alcohol use disorder as of 2016.[17] In 2017, substance use disorders from illicit substances directly resulted in 585,000 deaths.[16] Direct deaths from drug use, other than alcohol, have increased over 60 percent from 2000 to 2015.[18] Alcohol use resulted in an additional 3 million deaths in 2016.[17]
^Moss HB, Chen CM, Yi HY (March 2014). "Early adolescent patterns of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana polysubstance use and young adult substance use outcomes in a nationally representative sample". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 136. Elsevier: 51–62. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.12.011. PMID24434016. S2CID13003820.
^ abcDiagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. 2013. ISBN978-0-89042-554-1. OCLC830807378.
^Paglia A, Room R (September 1999). "Preventing Substance Use Problems Among Youth: A Literature Review and Recommendations". Journal of Primary Prevention. 20 (1): 3–50. doi:10.1023/A:1021302302085. ISSN1573-6547. S2CID264261699.
^Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (June 2016). Substance Use Disorders. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US).
^Guha M (11 March 2014). "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 (5th edition)". Reference Reviews. 28 (3): 36–37. doi:10.1108/RR-10-2013-0256. ISSN0950-4125.