A Holistic Approach to Substance Abuse & Addiction
Substance Abuse and Drug Addiction, also called Substance Use Disorder, is a chronic disease affecting a person’s brain and behavior that can lead to an inability to control the use of legal or illicit drugs or medication. When you’re addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the negative consequences or harm it causes. Drug addiction sometimes starts with the experimental use of a recreational drug in a social situation. However, for some people, drug use becomes more regular and frequent. For others, particularly with opioids, drug addiction begins innocently through prescribed medications.
Because everyone is different, the risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by person and by drug of choice. Opioid painkillers (“Opiates”) tend to have a higher risk of addiction and dependency can surface more quickly than others.
Over time, you may require larger doses of the drug to feel high or just to feel normal. As your drug use intensifies, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop using the drug may result in withdrawal symptoms that include intense cravings and physical illness (dope sickness).
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a life-threatening and chronic illness affecting millions of Americans. In 2018, SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that about 20.3 million people aged 12 or older had experienced a substance use disorder in the past year. In addition, the opioid epidemic continues in communities across the country. In 2018, more than 130 people lost their lives each day due to opioid-related drug overdoses, and 2 million people had opioid use disorder. These numbers have increased dramatically as a result of the isolation, fear, and inability or failure to seek treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The CDC estimates that SUD deaths will have record increases in America.
Our clinical experts are dedicated to providing clinical care and education for addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery to ensure you are receiving an individualized, effective drug and alcohol rehab program. Care is personalized to meet the needs of each patient, integrated to address co-occurring mental health concerns, and aimed at achieving freedom from addiction and long-term sobriety.
Resources
- Help for Families coping with Substance Abuse and Mental Disorders
- Know the Facts About Underage Binge Drinking
- Substance Abuse & Mental Illness in U.S. Adults
