Substance Use Disorders are complex and affect an individual’s behaviors and relationship to substances with abuse potential. Treatment may involve medications that manage or reduce cravings, therapy and other modalities to support the patient in their recovery. During this process, I help patients to develop tools that facilitate their engagement in social, occupational, and family activities while protecting and prioritizing their recovery.
Substance use disorders are defined by patterns of behavior and use that involve a combination of the following:
- taking the substance in larger amounts or longer than recommended
- wanting to cut down or stop use and being unable to do so
- cravings or urges to use that substance
- use that decreases one’s ability to function at school, work and home
- use that decreases one’s ability to engage in social, occupational, and recreational activities
- continuing use of that substance despite its impairment of relationships, harm to physical and mental well-being, or puts one in danger
- the development of tolerance and withdrawal.
For some patients there may be co-occurring mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and attention deficit disorder. I carefully look for co-occurring disorders as they often interact with and influence a patient’s patterns of substance use. In such instances, it is crucial to simultaneously treat these co-occurring disorders to increase the patient’s chances of success. Ultimately, for mental and physical health, it is vital to treat the whole person.