SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN GENERAL

Substance Use Disorders

​

There are a number of substances which can cause psychiatric disorders.

Substances are classified into different categories because each act differently on the brain.

Nevertheless a lot of the substances have similar effects because they act of similar parts or receptors in the brain.

Substances can be broadly categorized into Central Nervous System Depressants, Stimulants and Hallucinogens.

However there are other methods of categorizing substances. 

​

Example of substances of abuse:

• Alcohol

• Sedative, hypnotics, anxiolytics e.g. Benzodiazepines 

• Stimulants e.g. Amphetamines

• Hallucinogen e.g. LSD

• Cannabis

• Inhalants

• Opioids e.g. Heroin, Codeine 

Each of these substances are associated with unique states of intoxication. Even substances which interact with similar part/s or receptor/s will not result in exactly the same effect. For example, Alcohol and Benzodiazepines (e.g. Valium) affect similar receptors in the brain. Nevertheless, it is possible to 'substitute'  Alcohol with a  Benzodiazepine to prevent Withdrawal. 

Substance use can predispose to almost any psychiatric disorder/s such as mood, anxiety, psychotic and neurocognitive disorders etc.

​

​

​

​