3 Types Of Substance Use Disorder Treatment [And Signs You Need Urgent Help]
Substance use disorder refers to the abuse of alcohol or drugs, leading to health problems and failure to meet responsibilities. It describes addiction, which is a chronic brain disease that affects neurotransmitters and changes the reward center of the brain. An individual who frequently uses alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs (even in the form of medicine), despite significant problems resulting from this use, may be suffering from a substance use disorder.
What is Substance Use Disorder Treatment?
Substance use disorder treatment is a set of therapies, medications, and other interventions that are designed to help people stop or limit their substance use. Treatment can also help them manage the symptoms of withdrawal if they are addicted to particular drugs.
Types of substance use disorder treatment vary by type of drug addiction. Treatments for alcohol and drug use addiction may include medications to ease cravings, prevent withdrawal symptoms, or lower the risk of health problems.
What Are Some Common Types of Substance Use Disorder Treatment?
Some common types of substance use disorder treatment include:
1. Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapies are sometimes called talk therapies. They include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves talking with a therapist to understand how your thoughts and actions affect each other. Other psychological therapies are interpersonal, family or marital, integrative, supportive, experiential, and problem-solving.
2. Medication-Assisted Therapy
Medication-assisted therapy, also called pharmacotherapy, uses medications to treat addiction under a doctor's supervision. The use of these drugs can help people reduce their cravings and control withdrawal symptoms. They can be used along with other treatments, such as counseling and behavioral therapies.
3. Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapies focus on changing the behaviors that lead to and support addiction. Some examples are contingency management, which helps people develop positive behaviors that can replace drug use, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to change the way they think about drugs and addiction. Also, substance use disorder treatment may involve motivational interviewing, which helps motivate people to change their behaviors.
When Should You Seek Substance Use Disorder Treatment?
You should seek treatment urgently if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Recurrent drug use, resulting in a failure to fulfill essential obligations at work, school, or home.
- Substance-related absences from work.
- Substance-related legal problems.
- Continued drug and alcohol use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems related to the effects of your use.
- Need for high amounts of the drug to achieve intoxication or desired effect.
- Evidence of physical dependence manifested by withdrawal symptoms during periods of abstinence.
- A strong desire or uncontrollable compulsion to take the drug.
The Bottom Line
If you have a substance use disorder, it's advisable to seek treatment urgently. Treatment mainly takes the form of medication and psychotherapy aimed at helping you to recover from addiction to drugs or alcohol.
For more information, reach out to a company such as Comprehensive Counseling Services.
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