Substance Abuse

Most people think they have their substance use under control even when they’re dangerously close to (or already) dependent. Substance abuse affects your health and relationships, and it can be life-threatening, so don’t wait to consult with the team at Westwood Psychiatry Associates in Westwood, New Jersey. They offer a range of outpatient services that help you stop using alcohol or drugs, including a safe medical detox, therapy, and relapse prevention. If you’re ready to stop substance abuse, call the office or book an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment online today.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse, also called substance use disorder, is the ongoing use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances, even after they cause problems in your personal, home, work, or social life. You can abuse many legal and illegal substances, including:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Opioids (heroin, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone)
• Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP)
• Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines,
• Inhaled chemicals (aerosol sprays)
• Hypnotics (sedatives like sleeping medicines)

Substance abuse quickly and easily progresses from recreational use to a dependency or addiction.

How does substance abuse lead to dependency?

The substances in the list above activate your brain, causing the release of biochemicals that make you feel euphoric. Some, such as opioids, also relieve pain.

As you keep using these substances, your brain wiring changes. Then your brain needs the substance and you develop cravings.

Eventually, your brain develops a tolerance to the amount you normally use and you need to increase your use to achieve the same euphoria and stop the cravings.

After cravings develop, you start having withdrawal symptoms if you stop using the substance. At this stage, you have a dependency or addiction.

How is substance abuse treated?

The treatment you need depends on variables such as how often you drink or use drugs, the exact substance you use, and where you are in the progression from recreational use to dependency.

Though your therapist creates an individualized plan to meet your unique needs, substance abuse treatment comes down to:

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

For some substances, your therapist can prescribe medications that help you detox without entering an inpatient facility. They frequently use MAT for people with an alcohol or opioid addiction.

Westwood Psychiatry Associates prescribes Suboxone® for an opioid addiction. This medication eliminates cravings and withdrawal symptoms while you detox and recover. 

Your therapist may also prescribe Vivitrol® for outpatient treatment of alcohol dependence and to prevent a relapse after detoxing from opioids.

Cognitive and behavioral therapies

Therapy builds the foundation for your long-term recovery. For example, therapy helps you identify the stressors that push you to use alcohol or drugs and teaches how to manage them.

You can also learn how to manage anxiety, improve your ability to socialize, or learn any skill needed to support your recovery. 

If you’re ready to stop using alcohol or drugs, call Westwood Psychiatry Associates or request an appointment online today.