Substance Abuse / Substance Use Disorder Help for Substance Abuse at Lukin Center Expert Substance Abuse Treatment in Northern New Jersey If you or someone you love suffers from a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), it means that the person regularly uses drugs, alcohol, or other substances even when they know it is causing problems with work, school, relationships, and/ or health. Substance Use Disorder usually starts with experimental use of a substance such as alcohol, marijuana, prescription medication or nicotine. Over time, you might need more of the substance to feel good, or find that it’s difficult to go without it. You might experience cravings or feel physical symptoms when you don’t have the substance in your system. The substance begins to play a larger part in your life, sometimes becoming more important than your work, family, or school commitments. Over time, substances change your brain’s chemistry and structure. These changes can affect your judgment, decision making, memory, self control, and personality. Severe Substance Use Disorder is called an addiction. Substance Abuse / Substance Use Disorder at a Glance Substance Use Disorder (SUD) means using drugs, alcohol, or other substances despite negative effects Quitting is just one step in the substance abuse treatment process Untreated, Substance Use Disorder can quickly become addiction Substance Use Disorder is common with depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, PTSD or other mental health issues Substance Use Disorder can affect relationships and support networks A typical Substance Abuse Treatment plan might include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, medication management, individual and family therapy It’s common to develop a Substance Use Disorder when you’re dealing with other mental health issues. At Lukin Center, our highly qualified staff provides compassionate, Substance Use Disorder treatment as a part of broader mental health treatment. Substance abuse often happens with depression, anxiety, PTSD and other issues, usually when a person turns to drugs or alcohol as a means to cope with symptoms. This is called a co-occurring disorder. If substance abuse is a part of your life, you and your Lukin Center therapist will create an individualized treatment plan to help you stop using drugs or alcohol and develop strategies to stay clean. If you’re already in recovery, our therapists are specially trained to support and guide your sobriety journey. What are the Symptoms and Treatments for Substance Abuse? Substance Use Disorder can be influenced by your genes, stressors in your life, other diagnoses, past trauma, and social pressure. Signs and symptoms of a Substance Use Disorder include: Strong cravings Increased tolerance for alcohol or drugs: needing more to achieve the same effect Withdrawal symptoms, or substituting another closely related substance to avoid symptoms Risky situations or behaviors Preoccupation with finding and using the substance Avoiding or stopping social contact or activities in order to use Using despite negative effects on relationships, school or work Unable to stop or cut down on use Spending money on substances even if you can’t afford it Changes in personality or behavior; doing things that seem “out of character” How can Lukin Center Help Me with Substance Abuse / Substance Use Disorder? Lukin Center therapists and psychiatrists provide safe, effective treatment for Substance Use Disorder as a part of your overall mental health treatment. While each patient’s treatment plan will be different, most are built on a foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT. In individual therapy, your therapist will help you learn to recognize your triggers, manage your cravings, and change the thought patterns and behaviors that lead you to use. Your therapist might also suggest family or couples counseling to heal important relationships and strengthen your support network. Should you or your loved one require inpatient addiction treatment, medical detox, or a more intensive treatment setting, our psychotherapists and psychiatrists are on hand to coordinate a seamless referral to an appropriate, trusted program and can remain in touch until you’re ready to return. If you or your loved one are experiencing Substance Use Disorder, don’t wait to get help. Lukin Center clinicians must maintain the highest possible degrees and certifications in their fields, including best practices in treating addiction and substance use disorder in adults. As one of the largest mental health therapy practices in Northern New Jersey, Lukin Center gives you access to more highly trained therapists and a broader range of specialties, so you can get exactly the help you need. We’ll help you connect with the right mental health professional to get the results you want.
