We offer comprehensive, customized treatment programs for the disordered use of substances, including, but not limited to:
- Alcohol
- Prescription Opioids
- Illicit opioids
- Inhalants
- Hallucinogens
- Cannabis
- Stimulants
- Tranquilizers/Sedatives
In 2024, we have a new clinical name for addiction: substance use disorder (SUD). This new way of talking about addiction aligns with the medical model of addiction which we’ve recognized for over 50 years. Recognizing addiction as a disease of the brain, and reducing stigma by using appropriate clinical terms such as disordered use helps us not only understand addiction more clearly, but also reduces the stigma, and encourages more people to seek evidence-based treatment that’s both life-changing and life-saving.
Addiction impacts millions of people around the country every year. If you or a loved need compassionate, evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder, call us today.
What is a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Volume Five (DSM-5) describe a substance use disorder as a chronic brain disorder that causes a person a person to use substances repeatedly, despite the harm they cause.
Heres’ the official definition:
“A substance use disorders occurs when the recurrent use of alcohol and/or drugs causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. Diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria.”
To meet the minimum clinical threshold for diagnosis of substance use disorder, an individual must show at least two of the following eleven criteria symptoms in a twelve-month period:
- Using more of the substance/using substance for longer than intended.
- Persistent desire/unsuccessful effort to decrease/control /stop using the substance.
- Spending significant time is to obtain/recover from substance use.
- Strong desire/craving for the substance.
- Substance use causes failure to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home.
- Substance use continues despite significant social/interpersonal problems caused/ exacerbated by use.
- Important social/work/recreational activities given up because of substance use.
- Recurring use in situations that are physically dangerous.
- Continued substance use despite knowing it causes/exacerbates physical/psychological problems.
- Tolerance develops, defined as:
- Need increased amounts of substance for same effect.
- Diminished effect with continued use.
- Withdrawal occurs, defined as:
- Presence of withdrawal symptoms.
- Using substance to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
A substance use disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe:
Mild SUD:
An individual meets 2-3 of the criteria above
Moderate SUD:
An individual meets 4-5 of the criteria above
Severe SUD:
An individual meets 6 or more of the criteria above
If you or a loved meet the criteria for a mild, moderate, or severe substance use disorder, please understand this important fact:
Evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder can help you move past the cycles of addiction and achieve long-term, sustainable recovery.
The Consequences of Untreated Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Long-term exposure to drugs of misuse/disordered use can lead to significant emotional, psychological, and physical consequences. Emotional and psychological consequences of addiction can include mood swings, decreased self-esteem, and substance-related symptoms of that mirror the symptoms of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, paranoia, and some elements of psychosis. If you have an untreated SUD, these consequences can lead to significant disruption in your daily life and primary relationships.
What you may not know is that long-term substance use can also lead to serious physical complications and pathologies. Decades of evidence indicate chronic substance use can damage your major organs and critical physiological systems, including your:
- Brain
- Heart
- Lungs
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Immune System
- Endocrine System
- Digestive System
Long-term drug use has serious consequences for emotional, psychological, and physical health. That’s why it’s important to seek treatment and support for substance use disorder. In most cases, it’s possible to stop or reverse the damage caused by addiction and restore the mind and body to a state of health and balance.
Substance Use Disorder: Treatment and Therapy Options
Comprehensive Support / Experienced Clinicians / Proven Treatment Methods
The experienced clinicians at Kolmac Behavior Health offer effective support with a wide range of evidence-based, outcome-driven treatment options. Most treatment plans include a combination of the following:
- Detox when needed
- Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP)
- Group therapy
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Outpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalization treatment (PHP)
- Relapse prevention
- Family programs
When you commit to treatment, your expert treatment team designs a plan tailored to meet your individual biological, physiological, and social needs. Your integrated plan will contain the combination of therapeutic techniques that leverage your strengths, account for your challenge areas, and give you the tools you need to start your recovery journey.
Continuing Care: Your Lifelong Recovery is Our Goal
Treatment is the first step toward a new life.
The skills you learn in treatment will last a lifetime – but the end of your treatment program is really a beginning. It’s the beginning of your new life – the life you choose to live on your terms, in the way you decide, free from the disruptive cycles of emotion and behavior associated with a substance use disorder/drug addiction.
To help you live that new life, we offer continuing support to help you move forward in your recovery journey. Upon completion of your treatment program at Kolmac, you’ll have access to:
- Access to 50+ support groups
- Services at convenient locations
- Day and evening support
- Organized feedback for referral sources
Seeking treatment for a substance use disorder is a critical first step toward long-term recovery. We can help you set and achieve your goals for recovery and give you the tools you need to live without the use of substances. The evidence-based therapies we use at Kolmac will help you learn, grow, and thrive – in recovery and in life.
