{"id":102538,"date":"2019-09-06T12:09:16","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T16:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=102538"},"modified":"2019-09-26T06:27:59","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T10:27:59","slug":"recovering-from-substance-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/recovering-from-substance-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Recover From Substance Abuse"},"content":{"rendered":"

Millions of Americans are recovering from substance use disorders, so if you or a loved one struggle with alcohol or drug abuse, you are not alone. In fact, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that about 19 percent of Americans have used illicit drugs in the past year, and 16.6 million Americans are heavy alcohol users.<\/p>\n

A substance use disorder occurs when a person’s use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to ongoing health issues or problems at work, school or home. Substance use disorders lead people to neglect normal activities so they can obtain their substance of choice and use it. People with this condition usually progress from experimentation to occasional use and then to heavy use and sometimes abuse.<\/p>\n

If your use of alcohol or other drugs leads to persistent conflict or failure to meet obligations at home, work or with family, it’s time to talk to a healthcare professional. Here are some symptoms of substance abuse:<\/p>\n