Question 1

how is substance abuse diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Substance abuse: Signs and symptoms depending on the substance and pattern of use, plus urine drug screen.

Question 2

what are the tests for substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

CAGE: The simplest test for substance abuse is the CAGE questionnaire:
Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your use?
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your using?
Have you ever felt Guilty about using?
Have you ever felt you needed to use first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to medicate withdrawal?

Question 3

what are the symptoms of substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Two symptoms: 1) Loss of control
2) Unmanageability

Question 4

how does enabling of substance abuse happen?

Accepted Answer

People confuse: Love with helping.  So a father bails out his son, or a mom pours the alcohol down the drain.  And addicts are extremely effective manipulators who get well meaning friends and family members to help them continue to use.

Question 5

what are the effects of drug/substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Specific physiological effects depend on the particular drug and amount being used.  But no matter what the substance, an addicted person generally ends up with problems in both work and relationships because of pursuing substance use above all else.  There are often lies about substance use as well as intoxication that conflict with social roles. There can be neglect of job, parenting, and more.

Question 6

what are the complications of substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Substance use: Numeous complications. There are medical, social including stigma, and economic complications of substance use disorders on patients. 
The medical complications depend upon the substance that is over-used. For example, alcohol over-use will effect organ systems that are different from cocain use.

Question 7

what are the classical signs of substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Signs of subs use: Depends on the substance. Cravings and withdrawal are common.

Question 8

what are the major influences on substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Effect of abuse: Psychological, physiological, social and economic.

Question 9

what are the treatments for substance abuse?

Accepted Answer

Treatment is: targeted not only to the substance, but also for the patient’s lifestyle.  Treatment for say, a married patient with opiate use disorder who works several jobs will be different from a patient who suffers with alcohol use disorder who has a different lifestyle for example. There are various pharmacological, individual, and group interventions available for substance use disorders.

Question 10

do you think substance abuse can be defense mechanism ?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but a poor one: Many if not most people with substance abuse come from dysfunctional families & suffer from anxiety &/or depression. Many are very sensitive souls.They use substances as a way to escape, emotionally numb themselves & self-medicate.Unfortunately, substance abuse not only fails to solve their problems but adds to them.Counseling, appropriate medications/herbs/supplements & meditation will help more.

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Substance abuse communication barriers

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How is substance abuse diagnosed?

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What are the tests for substance abuse?

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What are the symptoms of substance abuse?

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How does enabling of substance abuse happen?

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What are the effects of drug/substance abuse?

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What are the complications of substance abuse?

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What are the classical signs of substance abuse?

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What are the major influences on substance abuse?

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What are the treatments for substance abuse?

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Do you think substance abuse can be defense mechanism ?

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