Substance Abuse Disorder Treatment Q&A

Substance abuse disorder, also known as drug addiction and substance use disorder (SUD), is a medical disease that affects one’s brain chemistry through the repeated and uncontrollable use of certain mind-altering substances. Those with substance abuse disorder use legal and/or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medicine in a repetitive pattern that they can’t break, no matter how much they may want to. This leads to hindered health, diminished wellness, and can be life-threatening when left untreated.

Those with substance abuse disorder will keep using the substance they’re hooked on, even while recognizing that it is causing them mental, physical, and/or psychological harm.

Substance abuse disorders can be split into two main groups: (1) alcohol use disorder and (2) drug use disorder. Those with the disorder may only suffer from one type or from both.

People with alcohol use disorder use alcohol in a compulsive way, typically losing control over how much they consume on a regular basis and/or experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they go too long without. Those with alcohol use disorder may binge drink or heavily drink, relying heavily on alcohol to get them through the days. 

Drug addiction, also known as drug use disorder, involves the continuous and habitual use of legal and/or illegal drugs. Some of the most commonly used substances are prescription medications, steroids, cocaine, heroin, meth, benzodiazepines, and inhalants – all of which can be highly addictive. Drugs affect your brain chemistry and alter its natural reward system, which is why you keep taking them despite the harm you know it might be causing to yourself and those around you.

Clinical research shows that mental illness may contribute to the development of substance abuse and that that substance abuse can also contribute to the development of a substance abuse disorder.
 
About 50% of those who experience a mental health disorder will also experience some type of substance abuse, making it very common for people to be struggling with multiple conditions at the same time. These coinciding ailments is what is known as a dial diagnosis.

In the United States, one in every four adults that has a serious mental health disorder also has a substance abuse problem. The mental health conditions that most commonly lead to substance abuse are depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorder.

Effective treatment for substance abuse disorder is highly individualized, tailored to the unique medical needs of the one needing treatment. The type of treatment that an individual might need will often change over time as their condition continues to fluctuate.

However, treatment often requires ongoing care to successfully achieve recovery and avoid relapse, especially if the person is experiencing a coinciding mental health disorder.

The main forms of treatment for substance abuse disorder include detoxification, cognitive and behavioural therapies, and medication-assisted therapies. A doctor may also prescribe additional treatment methods such as outpatient counseling, intensive outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, and/or sober living communities.

If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol abuse disorder, it’s important to get the support of a specializing medical professional that can walk you through the recovery process. At Invictus4Core, our team is ready to provide the specialized care and treatment that you need to come out the other side successfully. For more information about our substance abuse treatment programs, contact us today or book in online to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. We are located at 3150 Custer Dr Suite 101, Lexington, KY 40517. We serve patients from Lexington KY, Keene KY, Brannon Woods KY, Georgetown KY, Nicholasville KY, Picadome KY and all other surrounding areas in KY.