Mental Health
Drug Abuse
About Drug Abuse
Drug abuse refers to the harmful pattern of using a substance for non-medical purposes that negatively affects a person's life. This pattern can lead to significant problems in various areas, including health, work, or relationships.
Common Symptoms
- intense urges for the drug
- needing more of the drug to get the same effect (tolerance)
- experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
- spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from the drug
- failing to meet major obligations at work, school, or home
- continuing drug use despite negative consequences
- giving up important activities because of drug use
- using drugs in physically hazardous situations
- changes in appearance or hygiene
- secrecy or dishonesty about drug use
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional, which may include a physical examination, laboratory tests, and a detailed discussion about the person's drug use patterns and their impact. Mental health professionals often use criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals, such as the DSM-5, to help determine if a substance use disorder is present.
Causes
The development of drug abuse is complex and is thought to involve a combination of factors. These may include genetic predispositions, environmental influences such as peer pressure or early exposure to drugs, and psychological factors like co-occurring mental health conditions or trauma.
Treatment Overview
Treatment approaches for drug abuse often involve a combination of behavioral therapies, medication, and support groups. Behavioral therapies may include cognitive-behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing, while certain medications can help manage withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Complementary approaches, such as mindfulness or acupuncture, are sometimes discussed as supplementary to conventional treatments.
Prognosis & Outlook
The prognosis for individuals with drug abuse can vary widely depending on the substance, the severity of the abuse, and the individual's commitment to treatment. With appropriate and ongoing support, many individuals may achieve recovery and improve their quality of life, though relapses can be a part of the recovery process for some.
Types & Variants
Opioid Use Disorder
Involves the misuse of prescription pain relievers (like oxycodone), heroin, or synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Involves the misuse of prescription stimulants (like Adderall or Ritalin) or illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine.
Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder
Involves the misuse of central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax, Valium) or barbiturates.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Characterized by the problematic use of marijuana, leading to significant impairment or distress.
Alcohol Use Disorder
A related condition involving the inability to control or stop drinking despite negative consequences.
What 1 Contributor Has Shared
One contributor described struggling with a wide range of musculoskeletal pain, affecting their hips, back, pelvis, shoulders, feet, and wrists, among other body parts. They also experienced other symptoms such as tinnitus, dry eye, ocular migraine, heat sensitivity, anxiety, panic, depression, heart palpitations, intrusive thoughts, and skin rashes.
This contributor initially received diagnoses including arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and herniated discs, but later self-diagnosed with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms after ruling out other pathological findings.
“Approaches that were part of my recovery”
As described by story contributors
Learning about the work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter by reading their books
Engaging in pain neuroscience education
Journaling via Nicole Sachs
Practicing Pain Reprocessing Therapy and somatic tracking via Alan Gordon
Addressing belief and doubt
Learning to feel safe with sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Performing graded exposure to teach the brain that pain is not dangerous
Utilizing visualization and graded motor imagery
Leaning into positive sensations
Regulating the nervous system and applying Polyvagal theory
Cultivating indifference and outcome independence
Practicing self-compassion
“Approaches I tried that didn't help me”
As described by story contributors
Supplements
Changing diet to anti-inflammatory or keto
Seeing a Japanese healer
Castor oil, icing, and heat
Physical therapy (PT)
Chiropractic care
Osteopathic treatment
Massage
Acupuncture
Sports medicine doctor with rehabilitation classes
Correcting posture
Yoga
Common Turning Points
Pivotal moments described by story contributors
Discovering the work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter
Self-diagnosing with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms with reassurance from TMS practitioners
Key Realizations & “Aha” Moments
Perspectives shared by story contributors
Structural findings like arthritis and herniated discs were incidental and not the cause of symptoms
Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, meaning it is felt physically but not caused by structural body issues
The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease
Neuroplastic pain is created and maintained by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits
The brain can "learn" pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways
Misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even without physical cause
Mindbody symptoms, including chronic pain, often result from stress, nervous system dysregulation, suppressed emotions, learned neural pathways, and an overactive fear response
Support Systems Contributors Mentioned
Types of support described by story contributors
TMS practitioners
Advice from Those Who've Been There
Suggestions shared by story contributors
- “Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, meaning that, even though the pain is very real and physically felt, it doesn’t mean that it is being caused by the structures of your body.”
- “The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease.”
- “Neuroplastic pain refers to pain that is created and maintained not by physical injury, but by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits.”
- “This type of pain is very real, but its origin lies in the nervous system and emotional regulation rather than tissue damage.”
- “The brain can "learn" pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways—essentially false alarms.”
- “These misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even when there is no physical cause.”
- “Mindbody symptoms—including chronic pain—often result from stress and nervous system dysregulation, suppressed or unprocessed emotions, learned neural pathways in the brain, and an overactive fear response.”
These insights reflect what individual contributors reported about their own experiences. Results vary — what helps one person may not help another. This is not medical advice.
Stories (1)
Real journeys shared by contributors
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