Addiction and substance use disorders

Addiction is a dangerous yet treatable disease. Unlike other types of illnesses, addiction requires the commitment and cooperation of the abuser to begin a journey to recovery. Individuals who have an addiction are encouraged to seek treatment from an experienced counselor who can help identify the cause of self-abusive behaviors and facilitate a path to wellness and healing. With professional counseling, the seemingly daunting decision to stop an addiction can be broken into small, less frightening steps that make recovery seem much more conceivable.

Substance abuse is a pattern of using drugs or alcohol that results in negative consequences. It can cause problems at work, school, and in relationships—and can also lead to addiction. Substance misuse and addiction can trigger mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, or it can make existing conditions even worse.

Did you know…

Addiction is a disease that the National Institutes of Health estimates could affect as much as 50 percent of the U.S. population. Many people link addiction only to alcohol and illicit drugs. Though these are commonly abused substances, an addiction can form around any activity or substance, including eating, exercising, working, sex, tobacco, and gambling. Some people are even addicted to everyday pastimes, like being on the Internet, playing video games, or shopping.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a complex and treatable disease that can affect many areas of a person’s life. According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), over 40 million Americans suffered from a substance use disorder in 2020. Most people and their families are touched by addiction in some way or other.

Addiction requires individualized treatments to address the symptoms and underlying causes of the disease. There are multiple therapies and options available to treat addiction effectively.

Therapy as Addiction Treatment

An integral part of any addiction rehabilitation plan is therapy. There are different forms of treatment available to people who have an addiction.

There are three standard addiction therapy options: group therapy, family counseling, and individual therapy. Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group focuses on the individual. 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – One-on-one therapy to help patients find connections between their thoughts, feelings, and actions and how they can impact their recovery. This is the primary therapeutic method utilized by the Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group. 

Life Skills – We help you to develop life skills to manage cravings and triggers throughout your day. Our CBT sessions focus on your thoughts and feelings to recognize, avoid, and cope to help break the cycle of negative thoughts and behavior. This will help put you on the path to breaking free of addiction and start you on the way to recovery.

Medication – Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group uses medication-assisted treatment for treating addiction. Our addiction recovery programs are a two-headed approach. We help treat the physical responses with medicine while working to help learn skills to overcome addiction in sessions with our nurse practitioners.

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction

Therapy alone isn’t the only option for addiction treatment, however. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is often used in combination with counseling and other therapeutic options. In keeping with a whole-patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders, medications help relieve withdrawal symptoms and the psychological cravings that are caused by chemical imbalances within the body.

SAMHSA currently backs the use of FDA-approved medications for the treatment of addiction and substance abuse. 

Naltrexone (Vivitrol) – This is the most common form of MAT. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opiates on the brain and can also be used for alcohol addiction. Vivitrol is a prescription injectable medication for alcohol and opioid dependence that is administered every month. Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group offers the administration of Vivitrol as part of its Medication-Assisted Treatment plans.

Buprenorphine (Suboxone/Sublocade) – Suboxone most commonly comes in pill or film forms and helps with opioid dependence. This medication also comes in a monthly injectable form called Sublocade. Paired with a solid counseling plan, buprenorphine is a safe and effective treatment for opioid dependency. 

Additional MAT Options – Campral and Antabuse are other medications that assist in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Campral works in the brain to reduce the cravings to use alcohol. Antabuse works by creating a sensitivity to alcohol and producing some unpleasant side effects if alcohol is consumed. 

Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group’s Medication-Assisted Treatment with Vivitrol

Reduces Cravings

Withdrawal symptoms and long-term dependency can create a cycle of cravings that make it hard to break free. Vivitrol treatment, partnered with therapy and counseling, can help increase the odds of successful completion of treatment and reach sustainable recovery. No longer being able to feel the euphoric effects of alcohol and opioids helps to remove the physical temptation of the substance.

Accountability

It helps to provide a sense of accountability to help safeguard against relapse. Vivitrol blocks most mu opiate receptors in the brain, allowing struggling patients to focus on their coping skills and continue their sobriety.

Sustainable Recovery

Vivitrol is not intended for long-term use but is typically used for 6-12 months. In individual cases, it can be used longer. Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group is a licensed Vivitrol treatment provider and can help facilitate lasting results and a sustainable recovery.

To adhere to the “whole-person” approach to mental health, Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group offers traditional therapy options as well as medication-assisted treatments. The benefits of the Advanced Medical Psychiatry Group Vivitrol treatment are threefold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to seek addiction treatment?

You may need to seek treatment for an addiction if you have a habit that you believe you should cut back on or stop altogether. Many people suffering from addictions find themselves either feeling guilty about their habits or otherwise irritated when asked about those habits.

What should I expect during addiction recovery?

Addiction recovery is a long and tedious process. Treatment may involve several components, including one-on-one counseling and group therapy. The path to recovery is filled with ups and downs, and many people find comfort and encouragement in the relationships and accountability formed with other people who have faced similar struggles. Addiction treatment makes it possible to meet both the cause of addictive behaviors as well as the consequences. Ultimately, overcoming addiction means gaining self-respect and working toward realistic goals and expectations.

What happens after I have completed addiction treatment?

Many former addicts maintain a state of ongoing recovery. Both biological and environmental components feed many addictions. Changing your environment can significantly reduce your chances of relapsing into addiction, but a natural predisposition to addiction cannot be cured. You may wish to continue attending a support group to reduce your chances of relapse and to help prevent a new habit from forming in the place of an old one.