When you start using alcohol or drugs, you don’t think you’re headed for substance abuse, yet more than 15% of adults end up with a dependence on their substance. If you need help with overuse or dependence, you can turn to the professionals at Panacea Behavioral Health & Wellness Center. Their outpatient program helps you overcome substance abuse, with medications supporting a safe detox and recovery, and counseling. Don’t wait to seek substance abuse treatment. Connect through online booking or schedule an appointment by calling the practice's main office in Virginia Beach, Virginia today to schedule an appointment with one of our providers in your state. We offer telemedicine services in multiple states including Virginia, Arizona, and Florida.
Substance abuse is the excessive use of, or dependence on, an addictive substance. Though it includes any substance, it most often refers to alcohol and drugs.
By comparison, substance use is a broad term encompassing behaviors from occasionally overindulging to developing an addiction. A third term, substance use disorder (SUD), is the medical diagnosis for substance abuse.
The many substances capable of causing dependence and addiction share the same characteristic: They all activate specific areas of your brain, releasing biochemicals that boost your mood, relieve pain, lower inhibitions, help you relax, and cause a euphoric high.
As you keep using the substance, your brain and neurotransmitters change, and before long, your brain needs the substance to function. That’s when you start craving the substance.
Then, your brain gets used to the amount you usually use, and you must keep increasing the dose to get the same effect. At this stage, you have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using or lower the dose — symptoms that you have a physical dependence.
Taking larger doses and having cravings and withdrawal symptoms are significant signs of substance abuse. However, you may notice other signs, including:
You may also have physical symptoms, such as shaking hands and bloodshot, glossy-looking eyes.
Panacea Behavioral Health & Wellness Center has a team of specialists trained and experienced in outpatient substance abuse treatment. They offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a program proven to treat opioid and alcohol abuse in teens and adults.
MAT supports detox and recovery with a combination of prescription medications and counseling. The medications (Suboxone®, Sublocade®, Vivitrol®, Subutex®, and others) stop cravings and withdrawal, while counseling helps people understand why they turn to alcohol and drugs and learn coping skills supporting recovery.
The Panacea Behavioral Health & Wellness Center team can help no matter what substance you rely on. Call the nearest office or use online booking today to schedule an appointment.