Substance Use Disorders

Did you know?

Recovery Healing Sobriety is possible

A Substance Use Disorder, or SUD, is a medical condition characterized by an individual’s inability to control their use of substances such as drugs or alcohol. This may lead to significant impairment or distress, not only affecting the individual, but also those around them. The danger and affliction that SUDs generate make it imperative to raise awareness and combat the stigma surrounding this disorder. To do that, we must encourage those in need to seek help without fear of judgment, destigmatize conversations about SUDs, and make resources accessible for communities. Knowledge about SUDs not only helps saves lives, but can also strengthen prevention efforts and enable individuals to make safer choices regarding substance use.

Recovering from a substance use disorder is possible.

3 out of 4 people who experience a substance use disorder eventually recover. Establishing a recovery plan is vital for improving physical and mental health, rebuilding relationships, and enhancing overall quality of life. It is proven that those experiencing recovery from an SUD contribute positively to their communities and can successfully gain tools to manage triggers and prevent relapse. Although it is ultimately up to the individual to choose recovery, support from communities and loved ones and accessible resources are essential for progress.

“On days when life has shown up in full force, I pick up the phone and talk about it. I’ve learned I’m only as sick as my secrets and secrets will keep me sick.”

"We all want change, but the change starts with us creating a different life where we become productive instead of self-destructive!"

“Every morning, I promise to my son that I will try and stay strong and be brave. I hope by standing here today I’m showing you that bravery and if anyone sitting here needs it I hope I am offering that hope because without hope and belief that change is possible, there is nothing.”

"I chose recovery and it changed my life forever."

Symptoms of SUD

Increased Tolerance

Needing larger amounts of the substance to achieve the same effect.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Experiencing physical or emotional symptoms when not using the substance, such as anxiety, irritability, or nausea.

Loss of Control

Struggling to reduce or control substance use despite wanting to cut back.

Neglecting Responsibilities

Failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home due to substance use.

Social Isolation

Withdrawing from family, friends, or activities once enjoyed in favor of substance use.

Risky Behavior

Engaging in dangerous activities while under the influence, such as driving or mixing substances.

Continued Use Despite Problems

Continuing to use the substance despite knowing it causes physical, mental, or social issues.

Cravings

Experiencing intense urges to use the substance.

Changes in Appearance

Neglecting personal hygiene, changes in weight, or unusual physical appearance.

Financial Issues

Spending significant amounts of money on substances or facing financial problems due to use.

Source: Mayo Clinic’s Substance Use Disorders

Find the right treatment for you.

No one should suffer in silence or feel alone. There are resources that can be tailored to your specific needs, and there are multiple ways to receive help. From mental health professionals to support groups, you can find support that feels right to you. Recovery may feel out of reach, but it only takes one step to enter onto the path of healing.

Find Resources

You are not alone.

Mark Your Calendar

Discover local and national events near you by clicking the calendar icon. Staying active in your community and supporting those in recovery is a powerful way to end the stigma surrounding substance use disorders. Read below to learn about national observances that recognize substance use disorders every year.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week: An annual observance that aims at raising awareness and providing education about substance use disorders. During the week of the observance, various activities are organized to dispel myths and offer facts about drug and alcohol use. National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week is a week of collaboration between schools, community organizations, and professionals to provide accurate information and resources to prevent substance misuse and promote healthy lifestyles, particularly among teenagers and young adults. In 2025, National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week will take place from March 17^th to the 23^rd.

National Recovery Month: Started in 1989, this national observance is dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health conditions. The purpose is to promote and support the effectiveness of new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, to honor the resilience and achievements of those in the recovery community, and to recognize the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible. National Recovery Month takes place during the month of September annually.

Resources

Please note that although we are including the below resources in case they are helpful, we are not responsible for and do not endorse such external sites or resources.

Organizations

Just Think Twice: This website by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) offers educational resources to help young people understand the risks associated with drug use and make informed decisions. It provides information on various substances, their effects, and encourages healthy, drug-free lifestyles through engaging content and interactive tools.
National Association for Children of Addiction: This association is dedicated to supporting children and families affected by substance use disorders. It provides resources, advocacy, and education to help raise awareness and improve the well-being of those impacted by a loved one’s substance use.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): NIAAA advances understanding of alcohol-related problems, support innovative research, develop effective prevention and treatment strategies, and disseminate valuable information to the public and healthcare professionals.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): NIDA aims to better understand and educate on drug and alcohol use, playing a vital role in addressing the challenges of those facing substance use disorders and promoting recovery in communities.
Partnership to End Addiction: A nonprofit that works to empower families and communities to address the challenges of substance use.
Shatterproof: A national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the devastation substance use disorder causes families by changing the conversation about this disease and reducing the stigma and secrecy associated with it.

Crisis Services

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs immediate help, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Get Help & Hope by Text: Based upon answers to a few questions, Partnership to End Addiction will deliver personalized practical parenting tips, tools, information and resources via text messages to your cell phone for up to 6 months of support – completely tailored to your situation. Text JOIN to 55753.
Get Smart About Drugs: A DEA resource page for families, educators, and caregivers. Among the many resources, Get Smart About Drugs offers two vital resources in receiving care during a crisis, a national hotline and online chat as well as a treatment locator.
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help?: This guide by the National Institute of Mental Health can help determine how much of your symptoms interfere with your daily life and actions you can take to manage them.
Partnership to End Addiction Helpline: Get one-on-one help from trained specialists to address your child’s substance use disorder.

Youth Resources

AI-Anon Family Groups: This resource presents a supportive environment for young people who are affected by someone else’s substance use disorder. This group encourages teens to share their experiences, find understanding among peers, and develop coping strategies to manage the challenges of living with a family member who has a substance use disorder.
Partnership to End Addiction Helpline: Get one-on-one help from trained specialists to address your child’s substance use disorder.
Resources for Youth and College Students: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides strategies, tools, and programs designed to help young people understand the dangers of underage drinking and how to navigate mental health issues.
The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD): The ICCPUD works to address and prevent underage drinking. The committee focuses on research and policy development to protect young people and improve public health outcomes related to alcohol use.

Education

Conversation Starters: These Conversation Starters by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) are designed to help parents and caregivers initiate open discussions with youth about the risks of substance use.
Monitoring the Future: This is an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes, and values of Americans from adolescence through adulthood. Substance use is explored in this study.
Talking About Alcohol — Tips for Parents: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) provides informational advice on how to discuss alcohol with middle school aged kids.
The SAMHSA Recovery Month Toolkit: Although designed for Recovery Month in September, this toolkit supplies a wealth of resources and materials to support organizations and individuals in promoting recovery from mental health and substance use disorders.
The Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision Making: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) created a guide titled “The Teen Brain: Behavior, Problem Solving, and Decision Making” that explains how the adolescent brain develops, highlighting changes that impact behavior, risk-taking, and decision-making processes.