Substance Abuse
If you have an addiction to tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or pain medication, help is within reach. Ketamine infusion therapy is highly effective for substance abuse and other mental health conditions.
Substance Abuse Q&A
What is substance abuse?
Substance abuse, or substance use disorder, is a condition in which you’re unable to stop using, or you use too much of, addictive substances — like tobacco, alcohol, opioids, or other drugs. If you need help breaking an addiction, contact our providers for an evaluation.
What are the symptoms of substance abuse?
Common symptoms of substance use disorder include:
- Depression
- Physical health problems
- Inability to stop using harmful substances
- Withdrawal symptoms upon stopping
- Cravings for addictive substances
- Needing more and more of a substance
- Poor decision-making
- Risky behaviors
- Thoughts of suicide
Substance abuse can affect your job, school, and relationships and has legal consequences in some instances. You might experience financial problems, behavior changes, or frequent accidents.
What are the risk factors for substance abuse?
Substance abuse risk factors include:
- Family history of addiction
- Peer pressure
- Lack of social support
- Depression
- Anxiety
- PTSD/Trauma
- Other mental health disorders
- Using highly addictive drugs
- Drug or alcohol use at a young age
Having a strong social support network may reduce your risk of substance abuse.
How does my provider diagnose substance abuse?
Our providers ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle to diagnose substance use disorder and determine the most appropriate treatment. They complete a physical exam and a psychiatric assessment, and may recommend blood tests, urine tests, or other diagnostic testing.
How is substance abuse treated?
If you struggle with substance abuse, your provider might recommend:
Lifestyle changes
Eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise and plenty of sleep, and keeping stress levels low can help you break an addiction.
Medication management
Our providers help you manage medications to treat a mental health disorder, addiction, chronic pain, or chronic disease.
Ketamine infusion therapy
During ketamine infusion therapy, your specialist infuses ketamine (an anesthetic) into your bloodstream for fast absorption, mood improvements, and pain reduction.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) includes counseling and behavior-change strategies that enhance substance abuse recovery and reduce your risk of relapsing.
Group therapy
Meeting with a group of people who also struggle with substance abuse increases your chance of breaking your addiction and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
To break free of substance abuse, contact the Healing Ketamine office or schedule an appointment online today.