Substance use disorders

Abstract This chapter introduces substance use disorders (SUD) and their population- and patient-level consequences. It starts by presenting a high-level overview of the spectrum of substance use from abstinence to addiction and presents SUD as a chronic medical condition that can be treated effectively. The chapter provides an overview of important terminology, nonstigmatizing language, discusses the process of recovery, and details evidence-based strategies for effectively addressing SUD at the patient and population level. Although the chapter explores SUD in general, it takes a deeper dive into alcohol and opioid use disorder explaining their specific implications and detailing evidence-based treatment strategies for each. At the end of the chapter the pharmacists’ role in addressing SUDs, as well as their ability to engage in different harm reduction strategies, is discussed.