Understanding the Scope and Seriousness of Addictive Substances
Addiction is a multifaceted issue, with much of our knowledge still incomplete. Many substances that are commonly used and enjoyable can potentially become addictive. However, the harm associated with addiction is not directly proportional, nor are the consequences of addiction.
In this infographic, Visual Capitalist collaborated with the Global Kratom Coalition to delve into the realm of addictive substances and examine why some substances pose a higher risk than others.
The Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders
According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), nearly 50 million Americans think they have a form of substance use disorder (SUD).
SUDs are defined using 11 criteria, which include the level of a person's dependence on a substance and whether they continue to use it despite negative effects.
However, a person doesn't need to meet all 11 criteria to be diagnosed with an SUD. The more criteria a person meets, the more severe their SUD is considered to be.
It's important to note that not everyone reacts to a substance in the same way. Factors such as genetic predisposition, family history, socioeconomic status, mental disorders, trauma, and the substance itself can influence whether people develop use disorders.
The Severity of Addictive Substances
A substance can affect a person in various ways, but the impact is determined by how many of the 11 criteria a person meets.
Thus, a person is considered to have 'mild symptoms' if they meet 2-3 criteria, moderate symptoms if they meet 4-5, and severe symptoms if they meet 6 or more criteria.
The severity of the symptoms people report after using certain substances heavily depends on the substance itself. For instance, users of Kratom and caffeine are more likely to experience mild symptoms, while severe symptoms are more common with substances like heroin.
The Number of Adverse Events Caused by Substances
While substances affect people differently, it's crucial to recognize when this impact results in an adverse event, which is a harmful or undesirable outcome caused by exposure to a toxic substance.
However, the number of adverse events is often related to the number of people using the substance. The most commonly used substances, such as alcohol and cannabis, cause the most adverse events, despite their relatively mild symptom profiles.
Kratom: A Misunderstood Leaf
Every year, millions of people struggle with substance abuse. However, the severity of symptoms and the effect of those symptoms on a person can vary greatly. Substance use disorders are widespread, highlighting the pressing need for a deeper understanding of the complex nature of addiction and substances in general.
Are you interested in furthering the critical discussion about addiction?
Bottom Line
Understanding addiction and the severity of different substances is a complex task. The prevalence of substance use disorders and the varying degrees of severity highlight the urgent need for more research and discussion on this topic. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
Understanding the Scope and Seriousness of Addictive Substances
Addiction is a multifaceted issue, with much of our knowledge still incomplete. Many substances that are commonly used and enjoyable can potentially become addictive. However, the harm associated with addiction is not directly proportional, nor are the consequences of addiction.
In this infographic, Visual Capitalist collaborated with the Global Kratom Coalition to delve into the realm of addictive substances and examine why some substances pose a higher risk than others.
The Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders
According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), nearly 50 million Americans think they have a form of substance use disorder (SUD).
SUDs are defined using 11 criteria, which include the level of a person's dependence on a substance and whether they continue to use it despite negative effects.
However, a person doesn't need to meet all 11 criteria to be diagnosed with an SUD. The more criteria a person meets, the more severe their SUD is considered to be.
It's important to note that not everyone reacts to a substance in the same way. Factors such as genetic predisposition, family history, socioeconomic status, mental disorders, trauma, and the substance itself can influence whether people develop use disorders.
The Severity of Addictive Substances
A substance can affect a person in various ways, but the impact is determined by how many of the 11 criteria a person meets.
Thus, a person is considered to have 'mild symptoms' if they meet 2-3 criteria, moderate symptoms if they meet 4-5, and severe symptoms if they meet 6 or more criteria.
The severity of the symptoms people report after using certain substances heavily depends on the substance itself. For instance, users of Kratom and caffeine are more likely to experience mild symptoms, while severe symptoms are more common with substances like heroin.
The Number of Adverse Events Caused by Substances
While substances affect people differently, it's crucial to recognize when this impact results in an adverse event, which is a harmful or undesirable outcome caused by exposure to a toxic substance.
However, the number of adverse events is often related to the number of people using the substance. The most commonly used substances, such as alcohol and cannabis, cause the most adverse events, despite their relatively mild symptom profiles.
Kratom: A Misunderstood Leaf
Every year, millions of people struggle with substance abuse. However, the severity of symptoms and the effect of those symptoms on a person can vary greatly. Substance use disorders are widespread, highlighting the pressing need for a deeper understanding of the complex nature of addiction and substances in general.
Are you interested in furthering the critical discussion about addiction?
Bottom Line
Understanding addiction and the severity of different substances is a complex task. The prevalence of substance use disorders and the varying degrees of severity highlight the urgent need for more research and discussion on this topic. What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share this article with your friends and continue the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
