When you hear the phrase “substance use disorder,” you might also think of substance abuse, addiction or dependence. While each term is similar, they have some differences. You see, many who may misuse substances may not have a substance use disorder. That said, 21 million Americans do struggle with a substance use disorder in some capacity. Their condition may not be controlling their life, but it’s a health risk, nonetheless, and may be a reason to warrant getting help. It’s important to understand what substance use disorder is so you can recognize it and try to get people help as soon as possible.

Remember, substance use disorder is a disease – not a failure of will or weakness of character. It can be serious and life-threatening. The good news? It may be treatable. In fact, many people can recover if they seek the proper counseling right away. If you have insurance through UHC, you can call the 24-hour Substance Use Helpline at 1-855-780-5955 / TTY 711 to speak with a licensed clinician. If you don't have insurance through UHC, you can call SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) free helpline at 1-800-662-4357.