According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 11% of people in the U.S., over 12 use illegal drugs. But not everyone who uses illegal drugs has substance use disorder (SUD). Along the same line, many legal substances such as alcohol, medications prescribed by a doctor, or tobacco may be legal, but people can abuse them. So what is substance use disorder exactly?
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a brain disease that impacts your behavior. Over time, it leads to an inability to stop using the substance without intervention and treatment.
If you have SUD, you may experience negative consequences, such as:
- Legal troubles
- Health problems
- Losing your kids
- Destroying important relationships
- Money woes
On more than one occasion, a loved one may have said to you, “Why can’t you just quit?”
The answer? You can’t because you have substance use disorder. You may want to quit. In fact, you tell yourself every day you’ll stop tomorrow. But it doesn’t matter. You’re no longer in control. Instead, the substance is.
But this isn’t an excuse to continue down this path. Without a doubt, anyone can overcome substance use disorder with the right support and desire to change.
What is substance use disorder? It’s a disease. So it can be treated.
How Is Substance Use Disorder Treated?
Professionals treat substance use disorder using a series of evidence-based and complementary therapies, such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, in which you identify habits and thought patterns that don’t serve you and replace them with healthier habits
- Dialectical behavioral therapy, in which you learn to stay focused on your point of power in the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future. You learn to listen to what your emotions are telling you and respond more effectively in life.
- Dual diagnosis treatment, for people with SUD and another mental health disorder like depression or anxiety.
- Group and individual counseling, where you’ll learn skills to manage your addiction and practice them with others to prepare for the real-world
- Recreational therapy, where you’ll explore who you are and all that life has to offer through fun activities
- Music and art therapy, where you’ll learn to express yourself in constructive ways
In these therapies, you begin to re-write the script of your life. At the same time, you’ll re-take control.
What is substance use disorder if it no longer controls you? It becomes powerless as you reclaim your life.
The great thing about these therapies is that they’re 100% individualized. Professionals work with you to customize and personalize a program to meet your unique needs.
How Does Atlantic Recovery Center Assist Those with SUD?
ARC offers clients a warm and tranquil environment where they can begin learning new skills to manage addiction. As you do, you begin to heal the body and mind. Our smaller, more intimate settings (only seven beds) means you get more of the individualized care you need to experience the best outcome.
In our programs, you’ll learn coping skills, social skills, employment skills, life skills, and more that establish the framework for a happier, healthier, more productive life without your substance of choice.
We offer these and other treatments in several levels of care to meet your unique needs.
- Residential treatment program, where you live in our home-like treatment center with 24/7 supervision and care
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP), where you spend most of the weekdays in our programs, but go home or to a sober living home nights and weekends to practice what you’ve learned
- Intensive outpatient program, a program that offers a bit more flexibility and fewer hours spent on campus
- Aftercare program, a vital part of lasting recovery that gives you ongoing resources and support
For many individuals, this will be a step-down program, starting at the top and working down to less strenuous levels of care. Others may succeed by starting in PHP or intensive outpatient.
Is a substance calling the shots in your life? It’s time to reclaim your health and happiness in recovery. Call us at 1-866-824-5193 to explore your options.