Substance-Related And Addictive Disorders is a category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) that encompasses a number of different disorders, including alcohol use disorder (also known as alcohol addiction) and opioid use disorder. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are not a choice, but recovery is possible, and various research-supported treatment options and treatment centers are available. Often, underlying concerns and comorbid conditions, like anxiety disorders, environment, family history, and trauma, play a role in developing or affecting a person living with a substance use disorder.
Substance use disorders can affect all areas of a person’s life, including social relationships, family and love life, work, education, physical health, and mental health. The good news is that recovery is possible, and there is help for those living with substance-related and other addictive disorders.
You’re also not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than 40 million Americans lived with an SUD in 2020, including 14.5 million who lived with alcohol use disorders.
If you’re considering support for a substance use disorder, you’re likely well aware of the ways that it impacts or could impact your life. So, how do you know if it’s time to get help for substance abuse?
Potential Substance Use Disorder Symptoms
Everyone experiences symptoms differently. Understanding the possible symptoms of a substance use disorder may help you identify if you need care.
Here are some potential symptoms and signs of substance use disorders:
The truth is that it’s never too soon to ask for help or start the recovery process. If you notice these symptoms in yourself, it may be time to reach out and ask for help.
Addiction Treatment Options For Substance Use Disorders
There are several different treatments available for substance use disorders, and combined approaches are used frequently. Some people go to detox first to prepare themselves for treatment. Detox is there to help you discontinue the use of substances safely. After detox, a person may enter residential or inpatient treatment, followed by outpatient treatment and ongoing support groups or therapy.
Therapies
Some common complementary therapies to used effectively treat addiction include:
In treatment, you often learn about and create a plan for relapse prevention, work on problem-solving skills and interpersonal relationships, address any legal or social issues that may be prevalent, address comorbid or co-occurring concerns and conditions, and more. There is no shame in seeking care, and it is important to destigmatize substance use disorders so that more people can get the life-saving support they need.
Addressing Co-Occurring Concerns In Treatment For SUDs
Addressing co-occurring or comorbid concerns is often a vital part of treatment for substance use disorders.
Common comorbidities seen in those living with substance use disorders may include:
Other conditions can play a role in the development of substance use disorders for some people. In cases like these, addressing other concerns is often highly beneficial and is an important part of treatment for substance use disorders. Other risk factors, like environment, may also be addressed in treatment. When a person receives care that acknowledges their needs as a whole person and does not shy away from the role the substance may play in a person’s life, it means that a person can speak openly about their experiences, find healthy coping mechanisms to use when triggers arise, learn how to advocate for themselves, and gain other skills that may be beneficial for them as a unique person in recovery.
*If you or someone you know is living with an eating disorder or might be, please contact the National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
How Substance Use Disorder Counseling Can Help
If you’re considering substance use disorder counseling, you might wonder how it works, what it will be like, or what the benefits of treatment might be.
Counseling for a substance use disorder can help you:
Learning to name and navigate triggers is often a crucial part of relapse prevention. Your triggers might be specific feelings, specific situations (such as situations where you may be in the same room as or get offered a particular substance), or something else. Once your name or identify your triggers, you will likely make a plan for how you can navigate them, helping you engage in more rational thinking. This might be turning to a support system, leaving the room or event, finding ways to cope after the fact, or something else.
A big part of counseling or treatment for substance use disorders is thinking about what you want your future to look like. This could include learning skills that’ll help you build and maintain healthy friendships, job or work-related skills and goals, and implementing positive daily routines into your life.
It’s very common to experience depression, negative thoughts, and other challenges when new to sobriety. Learning to challenge negative thoughts effectively is something that we can all benefit from, and in time, your general thought patterns can become more positive and balanced if this is something you’re working on.
Because mental illness often coincides with substance abuse, one of the key principles of substance use counseling is addressing mental health holistically. In other words, most often, you will address everything – or most things – that is impacting your mental health rather than the substance use disorder diagnosis and the behaviors that might come with it alone. Many patients learn coping skills, communication skills, and so on that positively impact their lives and well-being overall.
You will likely come to find a sense of solidarity in substance use disorder counseling or treatment. Whether that is from the healthcare professionals you work with, members of a support group, a sponsor, or someone else, finding people who take away the stigma of substance use disorders and provide solidarity for your recovery is something everyone who gets care deserves.
That said, this is by no means an extensive list. Counseling for a substance use disorder can help you in many different ways, and it is the start of what truly feels like a new life for many people.
Where To Find Substance Use Disorder Treatment Or Counseling
What if you want treatment but aren’t sure where to find it?
Here are some ways to find care:
If you have health insurance, you can also contact your health insurance company directly to see what treatment resources they cover.
Loved Ones And Substance Use Disorders
If you live with a substance use disorder and want to show someone in your life how to support or better understand what you’re going through, you may send online resources and other sources of information their way. Substance use disorder treatment often encourages the involvement of loved ones.
Alternatively, if you’re the loved one of a person with a substance use disorder, you may want to find support for yourself. There are many support groups for loved ones of those with substance use disorders, including family members and romantic partners. One common example is Al-Anon. Unlike other support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Al-Anon involves the family members of addicted people meeting to discuss the challenges they’ve faced during their loved one’s drug addiction treatment journey.
Individual therapy with a licensed mental health professional may also be advantageous if you are the loved one of someone living with a substance use disorder. It can be challenging to watch someone you care about face a substance use disorder or another similar condition. Among the many other reasons people might seek therapy, therapy is a safe space to talk about your feelings and help you cope with or manage stress when times are hard. In time, you can learn to replace the negative habits and thought patterns that lead to substance abuse with more positive behaviors.
To find a therapist or counselor, you can get in contact with your doctor or insurance company, search the web for someone in your area, or sign up for a platform that offers remote therapy like BetterHelp. Make sure to find one that is licensed or has a master’s degree in their field.
Whether you have a loved one with a substance use disorder or want to talk about something else that’s on your mind, seeing a mental health professional can support you in finding clarity and confidence as you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What type of therapy works best for substance abuse?
No one therapy can fit all situations, but one of the most respected evidence-based therapies used to treat addiction is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy involves teaching patients to recognize the underlying self-destructive behaviors driving their alcohol or drug addiction. The patients learn coping skills to avoid these behaviors, helping them in maintaining sobriety. CBT is listed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as an evidenced-based therapy.
What is a treatment plan for substance abuse?
A treatment plan for substance abuse is a multi-step strategy for treating substance abuse.
What are the four goals of drug therapy?
What are the five stages of treatment?
The five stages of addiction treatment are the following:
What does CBT therapy do?
CBT aims to treat alcohol or drug abuse by addressing a person’s mental health, which is often at the root of addiction. The treatment process involves talking to the patient, teaching them coping skills to help them avoid the negative consequences brought on by their negative thought patterns. It’s considered the most effective of all behavioral therapies. Other therapies contained within CBT include Contingency Management and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy.
What are three options for drug abuse treatment?
Broadly speaking, the three options for treating addiction to drugs or alcohol are as follows:
What are the four steps of treatment planning?
Substance abuse treatment plans typically involve the following four steps:
Which is the first step in treating a drug abuse problem?
The first step in treating a drug abuse problem is typically detox, often done at a treatment center. Medication may be used to manage any substance withdrawal symptoms.
What are some goals of a substance abuse counselor?
The main goal of a substance abuse counselor is to help the patient identify their addiction and develop strategies to manage their addictive behaviors.