by Perlea, Victor ¹, Mayer, Gwendolyn ¹

• ¹ Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg

The introduction and overview can be found here

Disclaimer:We have compiled this information to the best of our knowledge based on current scientific literature (as of May 2026). However, we do not provide diagnosis or treatment recommendations. If you notice any mental health concerns in yourself or in a child or adolescent in your care, please consult a medical doctor.

Substance use disorders occur when alcohol or drug use causes significant problems and becomes difficult to control. Maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to impairment or distress, with at least 2 of 11 criteria in 12 months (e.g. larger amounts/longer than intended; unsuccessful efforts to cut down; much time spent obtaining/using/recovering; craving), recurrent use causing failure to fulfill role obligations (school, work, home), social/interpersonal problems, or use in physically hazardous situations (Kölch et al., 2020). Treatment often includes CBT, functional analysis, coping skills (Fadus et al., 2019), motivational interviewing (Gersib et al., 2024; Marshal et al., 2025), family-based treatments, and relapse prevention.