Substance Use Disorders

If you use harmful substances that negatively affect your way of life and you’re unable to stop, seek help from Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services in Woburn, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire. The team of mental health specialists offer substance abuse treatment that helps you break addictions and live your best life. Schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation by phone or request one online today.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse is a condition that occurs when you develop an addiction to a harmful substance, such as alcohol, drugs, or tobacco. 

While common, substance misuse can cause debilitating problems, such as physical health issues, other mental health conditions, and challenges in relationships, at work, or in school. Visit Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services at the first sign of substance abuse.

What are the symptoms of substance abuse?

The hallmark symptoms of substance abuse include:

• Feeling high
• Needing more and more of a substance
• Not being able to stop using harmful substances
• Physical health problems
• Frequent accidents
• Poor job or school performance
• Mood swings
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Using substances in secret
• Stealing for access to substances 

If you’d like to break the cycle of substance abuse but aren’t able to on your own, a Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services specialist is here for you. 

What are the risk factors for substance abuse?

While substance misuse can affect anyone, factors that may increase your risk of experiencing it include:

• Stress
• Past trauma
• Family history of substance abuse
• Trying substances at a young age
• Using highly addictive substances
• Abuse
• Neglect 
• Having few or no friends
• Getting bullied
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Other mental health conditions
• Lack of social support

You might begin using substances due to a difficult life situation, such as losing a loved one, job loss, divorce, or being diagnosed with an ongoing or severe medical condition.

How does my specialist diagnose substance abuse?

Diagnosing substance abuse often involves a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. Your Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services provider discusses your lifestyle habits, medications, medical history, and more. They inquire about the frequency of substance misuse and your moods, thoughts, and emotions before personalizing a plan that’s best suited for your needs.

How is substance abuse treated?

Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services offers an array of highly effective treatments for substance abuse. Your specialist provides supportive therapy, medication management, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and lifestyle coaching. Taking medications can reduce cravings for harmful substances and reduce bothersome withdrawal symptoms upon quitting.

You might meet with your provider in person or virtually from the comfort of your home for therapy sessions, which often last about 60 minutes each. During the sessions, you learn strategies that help you break addictive habits and stay sober.

It’s also important to get plenty of sleep, minimize stress, get regular exercise, and eat nutritious foods. 

If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse, schedule an in-person or telehealth evaluation at Holistic Behavioral Health Multi Services by phone or request one online today.