Substance Use Disorders

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder or addiction develops when you rely on a substance you take repeatedly for its pleasurable effects, such as:

• Alcohol
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Marijuana
• Ketamine
• Amphetamines (speed)
• MDMA (ecstasy or molly)
• Hallucinogens like LSD
• Opioid prescription painkillers

Opioid painkillers (which have a similar chemical composition to heroin) are a widespread cause of substance use disorder. Drugs like morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxycontin are leading examples. People often start taking opioid drugs to control severe pain but are unable to stop when their condition improves.

How does substance use disorder affect people?

Substance misuse can greatly impact daily life for the patient and those around them.

People with addictions can:

• Lose their jobs
• Develop serious physical health problems
• Experience severe financial difficulties
• Become separated from their families

They may eventually steal or behave recklessly/illegally to pay for their chosen substance.

Despite how addiction wrecks their lives, people with substance use disorder are unable to control their behavior. Dr. Brutus at La Bonne Sante Clinic runs addiction treatment programs that offer hope to young people and adults with these problems.

How is substance use disorder treated?

Substance use disorder treatments address the problems underlying your addiction. They include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for alcohol and opioid misuse.

Addictions develop because your brain releases feel-good chemicals when you take your chosen drug. Many substances can also alter your brain’s chemical makeup, so physical dependency develops as well.

Trying to quit taking drugs can result in highly unpleasant, often unbearable withdrawal symptoms, such as:

• Extreme fatigue
• Sweating
• Shaking
• Cravings
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Dizziness

Medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone®), naltrexone, and disulfiram can help by reducing withdrawal symptom severity. Dr. Brutus also provides support and counseling to help patients overcome psychological and behavioral barriers to recovery.

Substance use disorder patients do well with regular one-to-one therapy sessions. Attending support groups where you share with others recovering from addiction can also be invaluable.

The first step to substance use disorder recovery is committing to the process. Once you accept that you have an addiction and need help, you can discuss your treatment options with Dr. Brutus at La Bonne Sante Clinic.

Call the office to learn more about the benefits of substance use disorder treatment, or request a consultation online today.