Gambling Disorder
Gambling disorder can lead to financial ruin, bankruptcy, relationship breakdown, legal issues, and mental health struggles such as depression and suicide. The social and family impact is often severe.}
Evidence-based treatment includes cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on distorted beliefs about gambling, motivational interviewing, and peer recovery groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. Financial counseling and family therapy improve recovery.}
Opioid Use Disorder (Heroin, Fentanyl, Oxycodone)
Opioid use disorder carries extreme risks of overdose and death, especially with fentanyl. It weakens respiratory and cardiovascular systems, increases the risk of infectious diseases through injection use, and creates significant psychological dependence. Social and economic costs are severe, often leading to unemployment, homelessness, and incarceration.}
Treatment approaches include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, combined with behavioral therapies. Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone distribution and syringe exchanges reduce immediate risks. Long-term care often requires structured residential or outpatient programs.}
Cocaine Use Disorder
Cocaine use disorder increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and respiratory failure. Chronic use damages nasal passages and can cause severe mood swings, paranoia, and psychosis. The intense highs and crashes contribute to compulsive use patterns and impaired judgment.}
Treatment includes behavioral interventions such as contingency management and cognitive-behavioral therapy. While no FDA-approved medications exist yet, research on stimulant-use pharmacotherapies continues. Supportive care, peer recovery groups, and dual-diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders are essential.}
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
Benzodiazepine misuse increases risks of overdose (especially when combined with opioids), severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, and long-term cognitive decline. Chronic misuse can worsen anxiety and sleep disorders, creating a harmful cycle of dependence.}
Treatment requires slow tapering under medical supervision, often combined with behavioral therapy. Alternative medications (SSRIs, buspirone) may be prescribed for underlying anxiety. Therapy and support groups help address psychological dependence and coping strategies.}
Inhalant Use Disorder (Nitrous, Solvents)
Inhalants damage the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. They can cause sudden death due to heart failure or asphyxiation, even in first-time users. Long-term use leads to cognitive deficits and neurological problems.}
Treatment includes behavioral therapies, educational interventions, and family involvement. Medical care may be needed for organ damage. Prevention and relapse-prevention planning are especially critical in adolescents.}
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
GAD leads to chronic worry, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and cardiovascular strain. It often impairs work and social life and increases risk of depression and substance use.}
Effective treatments include CBT, mindfulness-based therapies, and medications such as SSRIs. Relaxation techniques, meditation, and lifestyle changes provide additional support.}
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD causes flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and emotional dysregulation. It increases risk of suicide, substance abuse, and chronic medical conditions due to stress. Relationships and work are often impaired.}
Treatments include trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, somatic therapies, and medication for anxiety or depression. Peer support and mindfulness-based therapies can reduce symptoms. Early intervention is highly effective.}
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder increases risk of suicide, financial ruin, damaged relationships, and legal problems due to manic behaviors. Depression phases can severely impair functioning. Substance use comorbidity is common.}
Treatment involves mood stabilizers (lithium, anticonvulsants), psychotherapy, and ongoing psychiatric care. Psychoeducation and family involvement improve adherence and stability.}
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD contributes to academic and occupational underachievement, impulsive decision-making, accidents, and strained relationships. Untreated ADHD increases risk of substance use and mood disorders.}
Treatment often includes stimulant or non-stimulant medications, behavioral therapy, and skills coaching. Supportive structures at home, school, or work are critical.}
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder increases the risk of liver disease, cardiovascular problems, accidents, and injuries. It contributes to cancer risk, weakens the immune system, and can cause long-term cognitive decline. Alcohol dependence also disrupts relationships and careers, while withdrawal can lead to dangerous symptoms such as seizures.}
Treatment includes medical detox to manage withdrawal, psychotherapy (CBT, Motivational Interviewing), peer support groups like AA, and medication-assisted treatments such as naltrexone or acamprosate. Integrated approaches that include family therapy and lifestyle change programs improve long-term outcomes.}
Methamphetamine Use Disorder
Methamphetamine damages the brain’s dopamine system, leading to memory loss, anxiety, depression, and psychosis. It increases risk of cardiovascular collapse, tooth decay ('meth mouth'), and skin infections. High relapse rates and severe withdrawal symptoms make recovery especially difficult.}
Evidence-based treatments include contingency management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Matrix Model approaches. Medications are under study, but none are currently approved. Long-term recovery requires supportive housing, family involvement, and relapse-prevention planning.}
Cannabis Use Disorder
Cannabis use disorder is linked to impaired memory, reduced attention, decreased academic or occupational achievement, and sometimes anxiety or psychotic symptoms in vulnerable populations. Chronic smoking may harm lung health. Dependence is often underestimated but can significantly disrupt functioning.}
Treatment often focuses on behavioral approaches, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement. Peer support groups and digital interventions can help. In adolescents and young adults, family therapy is often especially effective.}
Club Drugs (MDMA, Ketamine, GHB)
Club drugs are associated with dehydration, hyperthermia, heart problems, and memory impairment. Ketamine misuse can cause bladder damage, while GHB carries a high overdose risk. Polysubstance use is common, compounding risks.}
Treatment focuses on behavioral interventions, education, and peer support. Monitoring for co-occurring depression, anxiety, or trauma is important. Ketamine misuse may require medical treatment for urinary and cognitive effects.}
Hallucinogen Use Disorder (LSD, Psilocybin)
While not typically physically addictive, hallucinogens can cause dangerous psychological reactions, panic attacks, or psychosis in vulnerable individuals. Chronic use may impair memory and mood regulation. Risk of accidents during intoxication is high.}
Treatment usually involves psychotherapy to address anxiety, flashbacks, or underlying issues. Supportive counseling and monitoring for co-occurring mental health conditions are essential. Peer support can be beneficial.}
Major Depressive Disorder
Depression increases risk of suicide, cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and impaired functioning across work and relationships. It often co-occurs with substance use disorders, amplifying risks.}
Treatment includes psychotherapy (CBT, interpersonal therapy), antidepressant medications (SSRIs, SNRIs), and lifestyle interventions like exercise. Severe cases may require hospitalization or ECT. Integrated approaches are most effective.}
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
OCD creates compulsive rituals that can consume hours of daily life. It contributes to anxiety, depression, and functional impairment. Severe OCD can cause job loss, social isolation, and reduced quality of life.}
Gold-standard treatment includes exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy. SSRIs are often prescribed. Combining therapy and medication produces the best outcomes.}
Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD is linked to self-harm, unstable relationships, impulsivity, and high rates of suicide attempts. It creates significant emotional distress for individuals and families.}
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is the most evidence-based approach. Other supportive therapies include schema therapy and mentalization-based treatment. Medication may be used for mood stabilization.}
Panic Disorder
Panic disorder causes intense episodes of fear, often mistaken for heart attacks. It may lead to avoidance behaviors, agoraphobia, depression, and substance misuse.}
Effective treatments include CBT with interoceptive exposure, SSRIs or benzodiazepines for short-term relief, and relaxation techniques. Long-term outcomes are positive with consistent treatment.}