If your use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances is causing you to experience emotional problems, issues at work, or conflicts with friends and family members, you may have a substance abuse issue. Controlling your desire to drink or use drugs will improve your life and wellbeing. At Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA, we can use medications, therapy, and other methods to help you manage your addiction issues.
When Should You Seek Help for Substance Abuse?
Developing a substance abuse problem is not a sign that you are a weak person. It’s very common to struggle with alcoholism, drug use, and other substance-related issues. You can experience these addiction problems if you are a well-adjusted, successful person.
Unfortunately, you will probably struggle to address your substance issues by yourself. Receiving professional help is a very good way to manage your withdrawal symptoms and learn how to control your cravings. There are a number of signs that you should seek help for your substance abuse issues.
Work Problems
If you are suffering from addiction issues, you are likely to develop problems in your professional life. For example, you might miss important deadlines or be unable to complete your daily duties. In addition, you might miss days of work while you are recovering from your substance use.
Over time, these problems can cause you to lose your job or receive a demotion. These professional problems are a sign that you should seek help for your substance use.
Legal Issues
Your use of drugs or alcohol can lead to legal issues. For example, you might experience legal problems if you drive while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These legal issues can be very expensive and stressful. You can also lose your job or driver’s license. A legal problem can be a wake-up call that encourages you to seek professional help.
Family Conflicts
If you have addiction issues, you will probably experience problems at home. For example, you might anger your family members by spending too much money on alcohol. In addition, you can get into disagreements with family members while you are under the influence. Further, you might be unable to take part in important family events.
Health Problems
Abusing drugs or alcohol can damage your health. You might injure your body by getting into accidents when you are under the influence. In addition, you can experience hangovers and withdrawal symptoms on a regular basis. Over time, your substance use can lead to chronic health problems. For example, you can develop high blood pressure, heart disease, liver issues, and other physical challenges.
Inability to Quit
If you have addiction issues, you might repeatedly fail to stop using alcohol or drugs. For example, you might be able to quit drinking for a couple of months. However, you may begin drinking again if you experience a stressful event at your job or at home.
Once you start using substances again, you might quickly increase the amount of alcohol or drugs that you consume. Repeatedly failing to control your substance use is a sign that you should seek professional help.
Other Signs
Misusing substances can negatively impact many different aspects of your life. For example, your alcohol or drug use can cause you to develop emotional issues. Over time, you may become very depressed and anxious.
If your substance use is causing you to experience these issues, you don’t have to deal with your addiction on your own. Getting help is a good way to begin the process of controlling your cravings and improving your health.
How Can I Address My Substance Issues?
At Southside Medical Center, we can use a method called Medicated-Assisted Lifestyle Enrichment Treatment to address your substance use issues. This approach, also known as MAT, uses a variety of techniques to support you during the recovery process. These techniques will reduce your withdrawal issues and cravings. In addition, we can improve your ability to function at home and at work.
During your treatment, we will evaluate your health, drug use, and medical history. We will also provide you with daily medications that are monitored by a board-certified pharmacist. You will also attend individual, family, and group therapy sessions. Your therapy sessions will provide you with emotional support while you are gaining control over your addiction.
How Can I Use Medication To Treat My Substance Issues?
If you are dependent on opioids, we may provide you with medications during your addiction treatment. We can use different medications to support you during this process.
Methadone
Methadone is an FDA-approved drug that has been used to treat addiction for many years. When you receive a correct maintenance dose of this drug during your addiction treatment, you will not experience euphoric feelings or become sedated. Instead, this drug is used to reduce your craving for opioids and prevent you from developing withdrawal symptoms. In addition, this drug may prevent you from experiencing effects after you take street opioids.
Although your reaction to methadone will vary, it’s common for one dose of this drug to last for about 24 to 36 hours. You can take this drug in tablet form. You can also consume methadone by dissolving a power into water or taking a liquid version of the drug.
Buprenorphine
Buprenorphine is an FDA-approved drug that is also used to treat opioid addiction. This drug can reduce your cravings for opioids and relieve your withdrawal symptoms. You will typically take daily tablets of buprenorphine.
How Can Therapy Help Me Manage My Addiction Issues?
We can use several different therapeutic methods to help you learn how to manage your addiction issues.
Understanding Your Substance Use
During your therapy sessions, we will discuss the events and issues that caused you to begin using drugs or alcohol. For example, you might start using drugs to deal with pain after an accident or injury. Alternatively, you may begin to drink after you deal with a stressful conflict with family members. Understanding the causes of your addiction issues can help you learn how to avoid using these substances in the future.
Identifying Your Triggers
It’s common to have triggers that increase your desire to use drugs or alcohol. For example, going through a stressful situation at your job may prompt your cravings. Alternatively, you might feel an urge to drink or use drugs when you are around certain people.
During therapy, we can teach you how to identify the triggers that are prompting you to use substances. Learning how to recognize your personal triggers will help you gain control over your urge to drink or take drugs.
Learning How To Handle Triggers
We can also teach you coping strategies that will help you deal with your triggers. For example, we might teach you relaxation techniques that will allow you to handle stressful situations at your job without using alcohol or drugs. Learning these strategies will help you feel confident and in control when you confront one of your triggers.
How Long Will My Treatment Last?
Although our program is designed to last for 90 days, we can adjust your treatment to fit your unique needs during the recovery process. While you are in our program, you will need to follow certain rules and requirements. In particular, you will need to attend individual and group therapy. You will also receive random urine screens.
After you have graduated from your program, you will be able to receive after-care services. During this time, you can return to our center and visit with your therapist. Your after-care services will provide you with extra emotional support as you continue to manage your substance issues and improve your life.
Will My Health Insurance Cover My Addiction Treatment?
Many health insurance plans will pay for you to receive treatment for addiction issues. At Southside Medical Center, we accept Medicaid and Medicare plans for these services. In addition, we accept Amerigroup, Care Source, Peach State, and WellCare insurance plans.
If you do not have health insurance, we can provide a sliding fee scale that will help you pay for your addiction treatment. Our fees will be based on the size of your family and your household income.
How Will Addiction Treatment Improve My Life?
Gaining control over your substance use will provide you with several important benefits.
Improve Your Health
Using alcohol and drugs can increase your risk of developing heart issues, cancer, and many other illnesses. When you receive addiction treatment and stop using substances, your physical and mental health will improve. In addition, you will have the focus and energy to eat a healthy diet. You can also improve your health by exercising regularly.
Control Your Finances
Substance issues can cause you to spend a large amount of money on drugs or alcohol. In addition, you may make bad financial decisions while you are under the influence or become involved in expensive legal issues. You may also have a difficult time holding down a job and earning money.
Receiving treatment for your addiction issues will help you learn how to manage your cravings and make better decisions. When you stop spending money on substances, your finances will improve. You will also become a more productive, reliable employee.
Help Your Family Members
Your addiction issues can harm your relationship with your children, partner, and other family members. Overcoming your substance issues will help you become a more supportive and caring partner, parent, and family member. You will be able to be a positive role model for your children. In addition, you will be able to provide other family members with practical and emotional support.
Reach Your Personal Goals
When you are struggling with Substance Abuse issues, you may be unable to achieve your personal and professional goals. For example, you might not be able to complete your education. Substance Abuse may also lose interest in your fitness goals and hobbies.
Gaining control over your substance problems will increase your ability to focus and commit to long-term tasks. You might be able to finish your education, receive a promotion at your job, or reach an important fitness milestone.
Treat Your Substance Issues
Substance abuse problems can cause you to develop legal issues and experience conflict with your family members. In addition, using substances in an unhealthy way will damage your health and increase your risk of developing illnesses in the future. We can use therapy, medications, and other techniques to help you manage your addiction. To learn more about our holistic treatment methods, contact us at Southside Medical Center in Atlanta, GA.