There is a lot of useful material here, especially for the history and awareness part of your book. I would, however, correct a few historical and terminology points before publishing. For example, SAMHSA was created in 1992, not 1971, although its predecessor agencies and the federal substance-use treatment system have a much longer history.

I would structure this as a broader “Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Awareness” module, followed by your Easy Read SUD section.

Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders Awareness

A Short History

People have used substances for thousands of years.

Some substances were used for:

• Medicine

• Pain relief

• Religious or cultural purposes

• Recreation

• Social activities

Over time, people also began to understand that some substances could cause harm, dependence, addiction, and serious health problems.

Some Important Historical Points

Ancient times

Opium and cannabis have both been used by humans for thousands of years.

Opium was used as a medicinal substance in ancient civilisations.

Cannabis was also used for medicinal and other purposes in ancient cultures.

1800s

Doctors and scientists increasingly documented the harmful effects that alcohol and other substances could have on health.

1900s

The United States introduced different laws and policies to address alcohol and drug use.

One important example was the Prohibition Era, when the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were prohibited nationally from 1920 to 1933.

However, laws and criminal penalties did not eliminate substance use.

Over time, there was also increasing recognition that substance use disorders require healthcare, treatment, prevention, and recovery support.

---

The Development of Modern Treatment

The United States has developed different organisations and services to address substance use and mental health.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) was established in 1992.

SAMHSA works to improve mental health and reduce the impact of substance use and addiction in the United States.

The history of substance-use treatment in the United States goes back much further than SAMHSA.

---

From "Substance Abuse" to "Substance Use Disorder"

The language used to describe substance problems has changed.

The term "substance abuse" was commonly used in the past.

Modern healthcare increasingly uses the term:

Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

This language is preferred because it describes a health condition rather than labelling the person as an "abuser."

A person should not be defined by their diagnosis.

For example:

Person with a substance use disorder

is generally more person-centred than:

Substance abuser

---

What Is Substance Use Disorder?

A substance use disorder is a health condition in which a person's use of a substance causes significant problems or distress.

The substance may affect:

• Physical health

• Mental health

• Relationships

• Work

• Education

• Money

• Safety

• Everyday responsibilities

A person may want to reduce or stop using the substance but find it difficult to do so.

---

Common Features of Substance Use Disorder

A person may experience:

Loss of Control

The person may:

• Use more than they intended

• Try to stop but struggle

• Spend a lot of time obtaining or using the substance

Cravings

The person may experience a strong desire or urge to use the substance.

Tolerance

The body can become adapted to some substances.

The person may need more of the substance to produce the same effect.

Withdrawal

Some people experience physical or psychological symptoms when they reduce or stop using a substance.

Withdrawal symptoms depend on the substance and the person.

Some types of withdrawal can be medically dangerous.

Effects on Relationships

Substance use can cause problems with:

• Family

• Friends

• Partners

• Children

• Work colleagues

---

Major Categories of Substances

Different substances affect the brain and body in different ways.

They can be grouped into broad categories.

Stimulants

Stimulants generally increase activity in the central nervous system.

They may increase:

• Alertness

• Energy

• Heart rate

• Attention

Examples include:

• Cocaine

• Methamphetamine

• Prescription amphetamine medications

• Nicotine

Some stimulant medications are prescribed by healthcare professionals for conditions such as ADHD.

A medication being a stimulant does not mean that appropriate medical use is the same as substance misuse.

---

Depressants and Sedatives

Depressants generally slow activity in the central nervous system.

Some are prescribed to:

• Reduce anxiety

• Help with sleep

• Treat certain medical conditions

Examples include:

• Alcohol

• Benzodiazepines

• Barbiturates

• Some sleep medications

These substances can be dangerous when misused or combined with other substances.

---

Opioids

Opioids are substances that act on opioid receptors in the brain and body.

They can provide powerful pain relief.

Examples include:

• Heroin

• Oxycodone

• Codeine

• Fentanyl

Some opioids are important medical treatments.

However, opioids can also cause:

• Tolerance

• Dependence

• Overdose

• Substance use disorder

---

Cannabinoids and Hallucinogens

These substances can affect:

• Mood

• Sensory experiences

• Perception

• Thinking

• Awareness

Examples include:

• Cannabis

• LSD

• MDMA

• Ketamine

These substances do not all work in exactly the same way.

They should not be treated as one identical group simply because they can affect perception or mood.

---

Inhalants

Inhalants are chemicals whose vapours can be inhaled.

Examples include some:

• Solvents

• Aerosols

• Gases

• Household or industrial chemicals

Inhalant misuse can be extremely dangerous.

It can cause:

• Brain damage

• Organ damage

• Heart problems

• Breathing problems

• Loss of consciousness

• Sudden death

---

Substance Use Disorder and the DSM

The DSM-5-TR uses the term Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders.

Substance use disorders are diagnosed according to specific clinical criteria.

The DSM-5-TR includes substance-specific disorders, such as:

• Alcohol use disorder

• Opioid use disorder

• Stimulant use disorder

• Cannabis use disorder

• Sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder

• Tobacco use disorder

• Other substance-related disorders

A diagnosis depends on the person's pattern of symptoms and how substance use affects their life.

---

Substance Use Is Not Automatically Substance Use Disorder

This is an important point.

Using a substance does not automatically mean that someone has a substance use disorder.

A healthcare professional looks at:

• How often the substance is used

• How much is used

• Loss of control

• Cravings

• Consequences

• Effects on daily life

• Other symptoms

• The person's overall circumstances

A diagnosis requires more than simply knowing that someone has used a drug or alcohol.

---

Addiction and Stigma

People with substance use disorders can experience considerable stigma.

They may be called:

• Addicts

• Junkies

• Drunks

• Weak

• Selfish

• Bad

These labels can make people feel ashamed and may stop them from seeking help.

A more respectful approach is to say:

"A person with a substance use disorder."

The person is not their diagnosis.

---

Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery

Substance-related disorders can be prevented and treated.

Support may include:

• Education

• Prevention programmes

• Talking therapies

• Medication

• Medical treatment

• Peer support

• Family support

• Recovery services

• Help with housing and employment

Treatment should consider the whole person, including their physical health, mental health, relationships, and social circumstances.

---

Important Messages

Substance use disorders are health conditions.

Addiction is more complicated than simply lacking willpower.

Not everyone who uses a substance has a substance use disorder.

Different substances affect the brain and body differently.

Substance use disorders can occur alongside other mental-health conditions.

People with substance use disorders deserve respect and appropriate treatment.

Recovery is possible.

---

Easy Read Questions

Question 1

What does SUD stand for?

☐ Substance Use Disorder
☐ Social Understanding Difficulty
☐ Substance User Decision

Answer: Substance Use Disorder

Question 2

Is "substance use disorder" a medical term?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Answer: Yes

Question 3

Does everyone who uses a substance have a substance use disorder?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Answer: No

Question 4

What can happen with tolerance?

☐ The body can become used to a substance
☐ The person never wants the substance again
☐ The substance becomes harmless

Answer: The body can become used to a substance

Question 5

Can substance use affect relationships?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Answer: Yes

Question 6

Can someone have a substance use disorder and another mental-health condition?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Answer: Yes

Question 7

Can people recover from substance use disorders?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Answer: Yes

---

Optional Reflection Question

💬 Why is it important to use respectful language when talking about substance use disorders?

Think about:

• Stigma

• Shame

• Asking for help

• Treatment

• Recovery

• Respect

---

Why This Module Matters

Learning about substance-related and addictive disorders helps students, professionals, families, carers, and people themselves understand that substance use is not simply a question of being "good" or "bad."

Understanding the science can help us:

• Recognise health risks

• Understand addiction

• Reduce stigma

• Identify when someone may need help

• Understand co-occurring mental-health conditions

• Support treatment and recovery

Key Message

A substance use disorder is a health condition, not a definition of who a person is. Understanding, treatment, and support can make recovery possible.