SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Better Life Therapy offers compassionate outpatient treatment for individuals with substance abuse
WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
Substance abuse refers to a set of similar conditions related to the consumption of mind-altering and/or behavior-altering substances that can often have negative behavioral and health outcomes. It occurs when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, or other legal or illegal substances too much or in ways that impair important domains of life. It is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy, with nearly 1 in 7 people over the age of 12 requiring treatment.
ISN’T SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION THE SAME THING?
Substance abuse is not the same as addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able to quit or change unhealthy behaviors. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm. Addiction is also not relegated to just substances and can be focused on other things such as gambling and sexual activity.
Substance abuse should not be taken lightly. It has a major impact on individuals, families, and communities. The effects of substance abuse are often all encompassing while significantly contributing to costly social, physical, mental, and public health problems.
WHAT ARE SOME SUBSTANCES THAT ARE COMMONLY ABUSED?
Alcohol
One of the most common substances that are abused is alcohol. Alcohol affects each user differently. If you drink too much and too often, your chance of an accidental or fatal injury goes up. Heavy drinking can also cause liver and other health problems or lead to a more serious alcohol disorder.
As a general rule of thumb, drinking more than four drinks per day or more than 14 in a week may mean you’re drinking too much.
One drink is generally considered to be:
- 12 ounces of regular beer
- 8-9 ounces of malt liquor, which has more alcohol than beer
- 5 ounces of wine
- 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka and whiskey
Prescription/Over the Counter Medications
While legal, prescription drugs can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs. Prescriptions are abused when they are taken by anyone other than the person they are prescribed to, taken in doses larger than what is prescribed, or taken for non-medical reasons. Types of prescription drugs that are commonly abused are:
- Pain Relievers (OxyContin, Percocet, Vicodin, etc.)
- ADHD medications (Ritalin, Adderall, etc.)
- Anxiety (benzodiazepines) and Sleep medications (Zoloft, Xanax, Ambien, etc.)
Tobacco Products (Cigarettes, cigars, vapes, etc.)
Using products with nicotine can lead to substance abuse, as nicotine is the chemical in tobacco products that provide the “buzz” or rush of pleasure often associated with use. This effect can wear off fast and often leave the user wanting more.
Illegal Drugs (Heroin, Cocaine, etc.)
Illicit substances such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines are highly addictive substances and can easily cross the line from substance abuse into addiction faster than most other substance categories. Habitual use of these drugs can cause multiple serious health issues and recovery may prove more difficult.
Marijuana
While marijuana is quickly becoming legalized through most of the United States, it can still be abused like any other legal substance. Heavy marijuana use can leave some people feeling “burned out” and finding it hard to care about anything at all.
CAN SUBSTANCE ABUSE BE TREATED?
Absolutely. Advances in research have led to the development of evidence-based strategies to effectively address substance abuse. Rehabilitation treatment is the most common form of medical treatment and can include detoxification, inpatient/residential rehab, and outpatient rehab. Therapy is often highly recommended after treatment as it can assist in deconstructing the behaviors leading to substance abuse and learning new, healthier coping methods.
Better Life Therapy employs several modalities and evidenced-based strategies in treating Substance Abuse such as:
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), individual and group sessions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Motivational Interviewing
Additionally, we can refer you to other resources and approaches that have proven effective in treating substance abuse such as 12-Step Facilitation (Alcoholics Anonymous) and therapists certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
Because Substance Abuse encompasses a wide variety of substances and issues, symptoms can look drastically different from person to person. In general, the more common signs of substance abuse are:
- Increased feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness
- Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Bloodshot or glazed eyes
- Decrease in taking care of basic hygiene (looking unkempt, unusual body odors, etc.)
While this list is not exhaustive, it is recommended that if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you seek a therapist or medical professional who can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommendation for treatment.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
If you think you may be struggling with abuse of a substance, talk to your health care provider and atherapist. Primary care providers routinely diagnose substance abuse and will refer individuals to rehabilitation clinics as well as mental health professionals for therapeutic treatment.
Better Life Therapy offers comprehensive and effective treatments for substance abuse. We recognize that substance abuse is a serious condition, and recovery doesn’t have to be a lonely or painful process. We use a variety of methods to provide individuals with options in coping with and finding relief from substances.
