Substance abuse refers to the excessive or hazardous use of a psychoactive substance (i.e., illicit drugs or legal substances such as alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medications). Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is the formal DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) diagnosis associated with substance abuse and addiction. SUDs are diagnosed by identifying various symptoms that reflect problematic patterns of substance use and the impact it has on a person’s ability to function.
Struggling with a substance abuse disorder can often feel isolating and despairing. Family and loved ones may have a hard time understanding the disorder and the person struggling may feel like they are unable to cope with their day-to-day stressors without the substance.
Treatments for Substance Abuse
The good news is that there are proven treatments and strategies that can help someone struggling with substance abuse to create a happy and fulfilling life. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based interventions are two evidence-based treatments that we use for the treatment of SUDs.
It is important to mention that the effectiveness of treating SUDs can vary depending on individual factors, the type of substance(s) being abused, and the existence of any co-occurring mental health disorders. If you or a loved one are suffering with a substance use issue and would like to explore treatment options, please reach out to us. We can create a comprehensive treatment plan that involves a combination of therapies tailored to an individual’s specific substance use issue and other co-occurring behavioral health issues.