SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT CENTER

Substance abuse disorder is a serious health condition requiring with long-lasting effects on the health of the abuser and as such Substance Abuse Treatment is essential. It is often the result of compulsive need to use a particular substance, which can lead to consequences on not only physical but also mental health. The problem of substance abuse can be because of both illegal drugs or abusing prescription drugs like opioids. The number of people suffering from this condition is significant. Alcohol contributes to a huge chunk of these numbers as well.

Previously the word drug abuse was used to describe the substance use disorder or addiction. It is different from dependence. Drug dependence merely means that a person needs drugs to function. Both these conditions can have a huge impact on society. According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the US 70,000 people died of an overdose in 2017 and nearly 88,000 people die from excessive alcohol use every year.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) now has replaced both abuse and dependence with substance use disorder. Now the approach by those in healthcare is to focus more on the disorder and not the problem. It is now characterized as a brain disease.

There are two main types of this disorder; abuse and dependence.

Substance abuse is a medical term that means that the use of a particular substance or drug is causing significant problems. These can be as simple as missing too much school or work, getting involved in dangerous situations, drunk driving, and so on. These problems can lead to substance-related legal issues and can impact the relationship that is both professional and personal. It is a recognized medical brain disorder and the substance that is usually being abused can include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and legal substance like alcohol, prescription drugs, and even nicotine.

Substance dependence means that even after experiencing significant problems associated with substance use, a person still keeps on using it. Certain signs can signal dependence like:

• The need for increased amounts of the drug to get a high
• Withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped
• Spending a major chunk of one’s time on such activities
• Withdrawal from social life
• Keeping up with the drugs even after suffering social, physical, family, and psychological problems

There can be a lot of reasons as to why someone has substance abuse issues; identifying and treating them as part of efficient substance abuse treatment is vital.

• Difficulty sleeping
• Paranoia
• Changes in appearance
• Mood swings
• Bloodshot eyes
• Changes in appetite
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Suspicious behavior
• Poor health
• Unusual smell
• Tremors
• Slurred speech
• Poor hand-eye coordination
• Financial problems that cannot be explained
• Sudden changes in social circles
• Theft
• The decrease in performance at work or school

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Holistic Therapy Program
• Intensive Outpatient Rehab Program
• Medication-Assisted Treatment Program
• Outpatient Treatment Program
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Vocational Development Program

1. In the experimental stage, a person is just having fun (or succumbing to peer pressure) using a particular substance for recreation or treating a little problem they might be having.
2. Next comes the regular use stage, where the person changes their behavior and uses the substance to deal with negative feelings.
3. In the daily preoccupation stage, the addict becomes preoccupied with drugs and does not care about other things or social norms.
4. Then comes the dependence stage, where a person feels unable to face life without using the substance. Here they can experience financial, personal, and legal issues which might affect family or career.