What Is Substance Use Disorder? Symptoms & Treatment

Once someone tries alcohol or drugs, they might experiment more or stop if their curiosity is satisfied. This depends on a few factors, including:

• Availability of drugs and alcohol within the community
• Whether or not friends use drugs or alcohol
• Family environment, including physical or emotional abuse, mental illness, or alcohol or drug use in the house
• Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or ADHD

It is vital for users and loved ones alike to understand the various stages when it comes to substance use. Using a substance does not always lead to an addiction. Using drugs too much, feeling social pressure, and other factors can cause people to depend on a substance. This dependence can be both physical and mental.

These factors are not always obvious and are often mistaken in teens or young adults as rebellious and acting out. To understand the difference between experimentation and addiction, you need to recognize the behaviors that lead to both.

Substance use among adolescents ranges from experimentation to severe substance use disorders. Even practical use puts teens at risk of short-term problems. These include accidents, fights, unwanted sexual activity, and overdose. Substance use also interferes with adolescent brain development.

Stages of Substance Abuse or Experimentation

The truth is that there are many stages of addiction, each with its signs and symptoms to monitor in yourself and others.

Stage 1: Experimentation

Upon the initial first try, drug use can quickly become experimental, occurring more frequently.  Some people start this by only using drugs in a specific situation, like a party or during concerts.  This exploratory phase is usually a more social matter that involves drugs to relax or have some fun.  At this point, people usually don’t think about these substances much. They only consider them right before they plan to use them. 

Cravings usually do not happen at this stage. However, looking forward to a social event with the drug may be a factor.  At this time, people will choose to use drugs carefully, knowing the possible consequences. Or, they may take drugs on impulse, without much planning.  Still, their thoughts and concerns aren’t centered on their drug use and will only take place when convenient.

Stage 2: Regular Use

At this point, substance use is more frequent for you.  You might not use it every day. However, there could be a pattern, like using it every weekend. You may also use it in similar situations, such as when you feel stressed, bored, or lonely.  Probably use drugs or alcohol with other people at this stage, but you may begin to use it alone too.  You may miss school and work due to hangovers.  You might worry about losing your source for drugs. Many people use substances to escape bad feelings or situations.

Recreational drug use is more common than most people realize.  Some use drugs to “party,” while others use them to unwind.  When someone regularly buys and uses drugs, it is called recreational use. This can happen every weekend or several times a week.  At this stage, people know more about what they take. They often have a routine for getting and preparing the drugs.

Sometimes they may miss work or school due to the after-effects of using the drugs.  This drug use often goes hand-in-hand with people looking for drugs to escape their situations or cope with other issues.  Others may use drugs regularly because they feel that it makes their social interactions much more exciting and enjoyable.  At this point, they prefer to use medicines socially rather than stay sober.

Stage 3: Problem/Risky Use

As the name suggests, substance use at this point has begun to take a negative toll on your life. If you drive, you may do so under the influence.  You may have gotten a DWI/DUI or had other adverse legal consequences.  Your performance at work or school may be suffering, along with your relationships with others.  You may have changed your circle of friends, and your behavior has almost certainly changed.

Risky or problem use can endanger your safety and the safety of others. However, it may not qualify as a substance use disorder.

Stage 4: Dependence

There are three steps to dependence:

• Tolerance:  describes the effect that happens when you start to require more of a substance to achieve the same “high.”
• Physical dependence:  has been achieved when going without drugs or alcohol elicits a withdrawal response.  It is important to understand that you can build a tolerance to medications. This can happen even if you take prescription drugs as your doctor instructed.
• Psychological dependence means you have strong cravings for drugs. It also involves using substances a lot, either more often or in larger amounts. This can happen even after you try to quit.  This can also be known as “chemical dependency.”

These stages are cumulative.  You can tolerate a substance without being physically dependent. You can also be physically dependent without being psychologically dependent.  Still, you cannot be psychologically dependent without being physically dependent and having developed a tolerance.

The Science-Based Evidence on Alcohol and Breastfeeding Studies

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a complex brain condition. It changes how people think, feel, and act toward drugs or alcohol. It goes beyond just occasional misuse. Substance use disorder (SUD) changes the brain’s reward system. This makes it hard to control cravings, even when substances cause harm. Over time, tolerance builds, withdrawal symptoms appear, and daily life becomes centered around use. Without help, this cycle can impact health, relationships, work, and emotional stability.

How We Level Up Turns Research Into Real Recovery

At We Level Up, we go beyond awareness we turn scientific findings about addiction and recovery into personalized treatment. Our programs are grounded in the latest research on brain chemistry, trauma, and behavioral health. Every client benefits from evidence-based methods that are shown to work, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and holistic approaches that heal the mind and body.

Study	Treatment Implications	Insights for Patients
Alcohol — Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) View Study	Avoid regular drinking while breastfeeding. If you do drink, limit how much you have. Wait about 2 to 2.5 hours after each drink before nursing. Assess milk supply when alcohol use is reported because alcohol reduces milk ejection and can temporarily lower milk volume.	Alcohol passes into breastmilk at levels similar to maternal blood. If you decide to drink, plan for nursing. Pump and store milk before you drink. Wait 2–3 hours after each drink. Talk about your drinking habits with your doctor.
Haastrup MB et al., “Alcohol and breastfeeding” View Study	Screen breastfeeding mothers for alcohol use; explain physiologic effects (inhibits milk ejection reflex, reduces infant intake). For mothers who drink, advise timing strategies (nurse/pump before drinking; wait several hours after)	About half of lactating women in some Western populations report drinking while breastfeeding. Even small amounts of drinking can lower milk transfer when alcohol levels are highest. Planning and open talks can help improve safety.
May PA et al., “Breastfeeding and maternal alcohol use” Read Article	Advise against regular/heavy alcohol consumption during lactation due to associations with altered infant sleep and possible effects on psychomotor development. Monitor infant growth and development if maternal alcohol use is ongoing.	Drinking a little alcohol now and then may have small effects. However, drinking a lot or often can disrupt sleep. It can also lower milk intake and lead to possible developmental issues. Always tell your pediatrician if you drink.

What This Means for Your Care at We Level Up

Studies show that Substance Use Disorder is both preventable and treatable. The key is early intervention and ongoing support. We Level Up helps clients by combining medical detox, psychological care, and support from peers. This approach helps rebuild healthy brain function and long-term coping skills.

Our clinical team doesn’t rely on guesswork we apply proven recovery strategies based on current addiction science. You’ll receive a personalized treatment plan that identifies root causes, manages withdrawal safely, and builds resilience against relapse. Recovery isn’t just about stopping use it’s about transforming how you live and think.

A Substance Use Disorder

A substance use disorder (SUD) is diagnosed when you meet a specific set of criteria.  Substance use disorders can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of measures met.  The assessment will include criteria like:

• You “cannot face life” with drugs or alcohol
• You continue to use a substance despite the harm that comes to your health and life
• Avoiding friends and family
• Lying about your usage, especially about how much you are using
• You have given up activities you used to enjoy
• You cannot recognize the problems with your behavior or with your relationships with others

A substance abuse disorder is more than its symptoms.  It is a chronic disease, meaning that it is slow to develop and of long duration.  In addition, substance use disorders are often relapsing, meaning that recovery will usually entail setbacks.  Relapse rates for substance use disorders are similar to relapse rates for other chronic diseases like asthma and hypertension.

SUDs affect the memory, motivation, learning, movement, emotion, judgment, and reward-related circuitry in the brain.  Chronic substance use fills the brain with dopamine. First, it teaches you to use more of the substance that feels good. Then, it stops your brain from making enough dopamine by itself.  You then have to continue to use the sense to feel happy or even expected.

What Is Substance Use Disorder Treatment?

There are ways to treat SUDs, though, so you can regain control over your life, health, and well-being.  After an initial detox period, behavioral therapy combined with medication is often the best course of treatment.  A good addiction treatment program can help you find and heal the root cause of your addiction. It can also teach you coping skills to prevent relapse.

You can also get counseling for yourself, your family, and friends to help with recovery after treatment. There are support groups like AA, NA, Al-Anon, and Nar-Anon available as well.  These groups and types of therapy help support long-term recovery.

Understanding The Stages Of Addiction

Understanding the stages of addiction is important. It helps you see how substance use can harm your relationships, self-esteem, and health.  If you or someone you love is on the path of addiction, We Level Up can help.  Our caring intake coordinators can answer your questions. They can help you understand treatment options that fit your needs.

At We Level Up Treatment Center, we offer top-notch care. Our medical team is available 24/7 to help you.  All are working as a team to provide you with the optimum substance use disorder with one of our treatment specialists.  Our specialists know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.

Your call is private and confidential, and there is never any obligation.