Behavioral Health - Chemical Dependency

Chemical Dependency

• Substance (drug) abuse (alcohol or other drugs). Substance abuse is the medical term used to describe a pattern of substance (drug) use that causes significant problems or distress, such as failure to attend work or school, substance use in dangerous situations (driving a car), substance-related legal problems, or continued substance use that interferes with friendships and/or family relationships. Substance abuse, as a recognized medical brain disorder, refers to the abuse of illegal (such as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine)or legal substances (such as alcohol, nicotine, or prescription drugs). Alcohol is the most common legal drug of abuse.

• Substance (drug) dependence. Substance dependence is the medical term used to describe abuse of drugs or alcohol that continues, even when significant problems related to their use have developed. Signs of dependence include:

  • Tolerance to or need for increased amounts of the drug to get an effect
     
  • Withdrawal symptoms that happen if you decrease or stop using the drug that you find difficult to cut down or quit

  • Spending a lot of time to obtain, use, and recover from the effects of using drugs

  • Withdrawal from social and recreational activities

  • Continued use of the drug even though you are aware of the physical, psychological, and family or social problems that are caused by your ongoing drug abuse

What substances are most often abused?

Substances frequently abused include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Tobacco
• Prescription drugs, such as pain pills, stimulants, or anxiety pills 
• Methamphetamine  
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Anabolic steroids
• Hallucinogens 

• Inhalants

Visit the following pages to learn more about the Behavioral Health Center.

•  Behavioral Health Center 
•  Mental Health Symptoms & Treatment Options 
•  Employee Assistance Program (EAP)