Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) includes overuse, abuse, and addiction. No matter where you are in that progression, Stanley Okeyemi, PMHNP, at Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services, can give you the help you need to stop using. Stanley offers outpatient medical care, including treatments that stop cravings and withdrawal while you break the habit. His substance use disorder services are provided through telemedicine and are available in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington, Idaho, Connecticut, Nebraska, Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. If you need help, don’t wait to call or click the online booking tab to schedule an appointment.

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder refers to the continued use of drugs or alcohol even when they damage your health and cause problems in your life.

Substance abuse and addiction can develop from:

• Alcohol
• Inhalants
• Cannabis (marijuana)
• Opioids (heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, Vicodin®, to name a few)
• Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, ketamine, ecstasy)
• Sedatives and hypnotics (Lunesta®, Ambien®, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates)
• Stimulants (amphetamines and cocaine)

Unfortunately, it’s easy to progress from social or medicinal substance use to abuse and addiction because of how these substances change your brain.

How does social or medicinal use turn into substance use disorder?

When you use drugs and/or alcohol, they trigger your brain, releasing chemicals that improve your mood, relax inhibitions, relieve pain, and give you a euphoric high.

With ongoing use, your brain gets accustomed to the substance and cravings begin. The next step occurs when your brain needs more of the substance to produce the same results. Then it’s not long before you develop withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop. That’s when substance use has turned into an addiction.

What signs indicate I have substance use disorder?

Before cravings and withdrawal develop, you may notice the following signs:

• Needing time to recover after using a substance
• Feeling angry or emotionally unsteady (ready to explode without reason)
• Failing to keep up with your school and/or work responsibilities
• Staying away from social activities with family and friends
• Using your substance even if you don’t feel well
• Suffering memory loss or blackouts
• Neglecting your personal grooming

You may also notice signs like loss of appetite, shaking hands, and having bloodshot, glossy eyes.

How is substance use disorder treated?

The best treatment depends on variables like the substance you use, the amount you take, and how long you’ve abused it.

However, if you experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms, the first line of treatment is medication to prevent those problems while your body detoxes (eliminates the substance from your body).

Your Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services provider can prescribe several medications that stop cravings and withdrawal symptoms. You can also keep taking medications during your recovery to lower your risk of relapsing.

Call Brighter Light Behavioral Health Services today or use online booking to schedule a telemedicine appointment and get the help you need for substance use disorder.