{"$schema":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/page.schema.json","formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders","path":"/community/substance-use-disorders","title":"Substance Use Disorders","description":"Connect around experiences with substance use, its effects, and paths through recovery.","family":"Topic community","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"custom-shared-preview","indexable":true},"provenance":{"contentCompleteness":"page","sourceUrl":null},"authors":[],"dates":{},"images":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11670.webp","alt":"People lean toward one another during a small group conversation."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-3577.webp","alt":"A woman smiles as she listens to another person during a conversation.","width":1200,"height":630},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12785.webp","alt":"A group of adults talks together in a comfortable counseling room.","width":1200,"height":800},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/editorial-247/3505.webp","alt":"A person offers a reassuring touch during a small group conversation.","width":1200,"height":630},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical-20261003.webp","alt":"A student and adult talking at a campus table.","width":1000,"height":667},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out-20261003.webp","alt":"Two adults walking together along a quiet waterfront","width":1000,"height":667},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression.webp","alt":"Glass of water and an unlit cigarette in a closed case","width":1200,"height":800},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs.webp","alt":"A quiet circle of six mismatched chairs in a modest community room before a peer support meeting, sunlight across worn wooden floor, a single thermos on side table","width":1200,"height":800}],"sections":[],"references":[],"relatedReading":[],"links":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","label":"Home"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community","label":"Community"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Treatment#browse","label":"Treatment"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Recovery#browse","label":"Recovery"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Depression#browse","label":"Depression"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Support#browse","label":"Support"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#library","label":"Library"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#answers","label":"Conversations"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#blog","label":"Perspectives"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders","label":"Substance Use Disorders"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders","label":"Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis","label":"Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support","label":"Addiction Recovery and Social Support"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical","label":"Why do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out","label":"Why do I black out after just a few drinks?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression","label":"Drinking Smoking and Depression"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs","label":"Challenges in 12 Step Programs"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/addiction","label":"Addiction"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/recovery","label":"Recovery"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/behavioral-health","label":"Behavioral Health"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists","label":"Find care"}],"content":{"html":"<nav class=\"breadcrumbs\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community\">Community</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Substance Use Disorders</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"topic-community\"><header class=\"community-hero hub-entry-hero\"><div class=\"hub-entry-copy\"><p class=\"community-eyebrow\">Community</p><h1>Substance Use Disorders</h1><p>Connect around experiences with substance use, its effects, and paths through recovery.</p><form id=\"topic-search\" class=\"search-island\" role=\"search\" action=\"/community/substance-use-disorders\" method=\"get\" aria-label=\"Search Substance Use Disorders\"><div class=\"search-field\"><label class=\"visually-hidden\" for=\"topic-query\">Search Substance Use Disorders</label><input id=\"topic-query\" name=\"q\" type=\"search\" placeholder=\"Search Substance Use Disorders\" maxlength=\"150\" required></div><button class=\"search-button\" type=\"submit\">Search</button></form><div class=\"suggested\" aria-label=\"Topics in this community\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Treatment#browse\">Treatment</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Recovery#browse\">Recovery</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Depression#browse\">Depression</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders?topic=Support#browse\">Support</a></div></div><img class=\"community-hero-image\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11670.webp\" alt=\"People lean toward one another during a small group conversation.\" loading=\"eager\"></header><nav class=\"community-section-nav\" aria-label=\"On this community page\"><a data-division=\"library\" href=\"#library\">Library</a><a data-division=\"answers\" href=\"#answers\">Conversations</a><a data-division=\"blog\" href=\"#blog\">Perspectives</a></nav><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"library\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Library</h2><p>A place to begin, understand, and go deeper.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"card-photo\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11670.webp\" alt=\"People lean toward one another during a small group conversation.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders\" title=\"Substance Use Disorders\">Substance Use Disorders</a></h3><p>Discover how treating substance use disorders improves brain function, emotional stability, and quality of life.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"card-photo\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-3577.webp\" alt=\"A woman smiles as she listens to another person during a conversation.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders\" title=\"Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders\">Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders</a></h3><p>Discover how substance use disorders are diagnosed and why early recognition leads to better treatment outcomes.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"card-photo\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-12785.webp\" alt=\"A group of adults talks together in a comfortable counseling room.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis\" title=\"Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction\">Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction</a></h3><p>Discover how dual diagnoses combine mental health and addiction disorders, sharing risk factors and complicating treatment.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/editorial-247/3505.webp\" alt=\"A person offers a reassuring touch during a small group conversation.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Library</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support\" title=\"Addiction Recovery and Social Support\">Addiction Recovery and Social Support</a></h3><p>Discover the power of social support in addiction recovery. Enhance your sense of belonging, reduce stress, and find meaning.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"answers\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Conversations</h2><p>Real questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical-20261003.webp\" alt=\"A student and adult talking at a campus table.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical\" title=\"Why do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?\">Why do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?</a></h3><p>A college student describes repeated substance use alongside anxiety and depression despite previous rehabilitation.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out-20261003.webp\" alt=\"Two adults walking together along a quiet waterfront\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Conversation</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out\" title=\"Why do I black out after just a few drinks?\">Why do I black out after just a few drinks?</a></h3><p>A reader describes increasingly serious alcohol-related blackouts and destructive behavior, despite not identifying as having a drinking problem.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-section\" id=\"blog\"><div class=\"community-section-heading\"><h2>Perspectives</h2><p>Ideas and experiences that offer another point of view.</p></div><div class=\"community-resource-grid\"><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression.webp\" alt=\"Glass of water and an unlit cigarette in a closed case\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Perspective</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression\" title=\"Drinking Smoking and Depression\">Drinking Smoking and Depression</a></h3><p>Explore the link between alcohol, depression, and neurogenesis. Learn how smoking, coffee, and treating addictions together affect alcohol recovery.</p></article><article class=\"community-resource\"><a class=\"community-resource-image\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img class=\"\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/perspective-20261004/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs.webp\" alt=\"A quiet circle of six mismatched chairs in a modest community room before a peer support meeting, sunlight across worn wooden floor, a single thermos on side table\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\"></a><p class=\"community-kind\">Perspective</p><h3><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs\" title=\"Challenges in 12 Step Programs\">Challenges in 12 Step Programs</a></h3><p>Discover how non-believers can benefit from twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.</p></article></div></section><section class=\"community-related\"><h2>Connected communities</h2><div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/addiction\">Addiction</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/recovery\">Recovery</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/behavioral-health\">Behavioral Health</a></div></section><section class=\"community-support\"><div><h2>Find support that fits you.</h2><p>Explore people and care options near you.</p></div><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/therapists\">Find care</a></section></div>","text":"HomeCommunitySubstance Use DisordersCommunitySubstance Use DisordersConnect around experiences with substance use, its effects, and paths through recovery.Search Substance Use DisordersSearchTreatmentRecoveryDepressionSupportLibraryConversationsPerspectivesLibraryA place to begin, understand, and go deeper.LibrarySubstance Use DisordersDiscover how treating substance use disorders improves brain function, emotional stability, and quality of life.LibraryDiagnostic Criteria for Substance Use DisordersDiscover how substance use disorders are diagnosed and why early recognition leads to better treatment outcomes.LibraryDual Diagnosis in Mental Health and AddictionDiscover how dual diagnoses combine mental health and addiction disorders, sharing risk factors and complicating treatment.LibraryAddiction Recovery and Social SupportDiscover the power of social support in addiction recovery. Enhance your sense of belonging, reduce stress, and find meaning.ConversationsReal questions and professional responses from our Answers archive.ConversationWhy do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?A college student describes repeated substance use alongside anxiety and depression despite previous rehabilitation.ConversationWhy do I black out after just a few drinks?A reader describes increasingly serious alcohol-related blackouts and destructive behavior, despite not identifying as having a drinking problem.PerspectivesIdeas and experiences that offer another point of view.PerspectiveDrinking Smoking and DepressionExplore the link between alcohol, depression, and neurogenesis. Learn how smoking, coffee, and treating addictions together affect alcohol recovery.PerspectiveChallenges in 12 Step ProgramsDiscover how non-believers can benefit from twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.Connected communitiesAddictionRecoveryBehavioral HealthFind support that fits you.Explore people and care options near you.Find care","wordCount":219},"representations":{"html":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders","json":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/community/substance-use-disorders.json","jsonLd":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/community/substance-use-disorders.ld.json"},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Community","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Substance Use Disorders","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#primaryimage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11670.webp","contentUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/library/editorial-11670.webp","width":1200,"height":675,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"People lean toward one another during a small group conversation."},{"@type":"ItemList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#items","numberOfItems":8,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Substance Use Disorders","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Addiction Recovery and Social Support","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"Why do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"name":"Why do I black out after just a few drinks?","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":7,"name":"Drinking Smoking and Depression","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":8,"name":"Challenges in 12 Step Programs","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs"}]},{"@type":"CollectionPage","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#webpage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders","name":"Substance Use Disorders","description":"Connect around experiences with substance use, its effects, and paths through recovery.","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"mainEntity":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#items"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#primaryimage"}}]},"seo":{"title":"Substance Use Disorders Community | MentalHealth.com","description":"Connect around experiences with substance use, its effects, and paths through recovery.","canonical":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/social-tiles-20261006/community.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Community","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"community"}},"reviewer":null,"collections":[{"@type":"ItemList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/substance-use-disorders#items","numberOfItems":8,"itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Substance Use Disorders","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/substance-use-disorders"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/diagnostic-criteria-for-substance-use-disorders"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Dual Diagnosis in Mental Health and Addiction","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/mental-health-behavioral-addiction-dual-diagnosis"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Addiction Recovery and Social Support","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/recovery-from-addiction-social-support"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"Why do I keep using drugs when I know it’s a problem?","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/anxious-depressed-confused-angry-the-typical"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":6,"name":"Why do I black out after just a few drinks?","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/drinking-and-blacking-out"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":7,"name":"Drinking Smoking and Depression","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/on-drinking-smoking-and-depression"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":8,"name":"Challenges in 12 Step Programs","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/blog/a-pesky-problem-with-12-step-programs"}]}]}