Substance Use Treatment
Milton Recovery is a leading compassionate and comprehensive addiction treatment service provider. We specialize in helping individuals overcome substance use disorder and regain control of their lives.
Understanding Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic disease characterized by impaired brain function. It is not simply a moral failing or a choice. People with SUD struggle to control or stop using substances even when they cause harm.
The Complexity of Addiction
To fully understand substance use disorder, it’s important to know that:
- Symptoms can vary depending on the substance and the individual.
- Each substance affects the brain and body differently.
- All types of SUD lead to significant changes in the brain.
The symptoms that each person faces are different depending on:
- The specific substance they are using
- How much and how often they use it
- Their unique body chemistry and genetics
How Substances Impact the Brain and Body
Alcohol
Alcoholism effects both the brain and body in numerous ways, leading to a range of physical and mental health issues.
Chronic alcohol consumption disrupts normal brain function, impairing cognitive abilities, memory, and decision-making. Over time, alcohol can damage the brain’s neurotransmitters, leading to mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Physically, long-term alcohol abuse harms vital organs, including the liver, heart, and pancreas. Liver damage, such as cirrhosis, is common, while heart disease, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function are also significant risks.
Additionally, alcohol dehydrates the body and depletes essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition and increased vulnerability to illness. Recognizing the impact of alcoholism on the brain and body is crucial for seeking timely intervention and treatment.
Benzos
Benzodiazepine addiction can have significant negative effects on both the brain and body, making recovery a crucial step for those affected.
Prolonged use of benzodiazepines can lead to alterations in brain chemistry, impacting cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making. These drugs influence neurotransmitter activity, which can result in emotional instability and heightened anxiety when the medication is not taken.
Physically, benzo addiction may cause muscle weakness, dizziness, and impaired coordination, increasing the risk of falls and accidents.
Furthermore, withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include seizures, further emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help for recovery.
Alprazolam (Xanax)
Street Names: Xannies, Bars, Z-bars
Common Forms: Tablets (often found in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg)
Usage Context: Often prescribed for anxiety and panic disorders; known for its fast-acting effects.
Abuse Potential: High due to rapid onset and strong sedative effects.
Diazepam (Valium)
Street Names: V’s, Blues
Common Forms: Tablets, injectable solution
Usage Context: Used for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.
Abuse Potential: High due to its calming effects and long duration of action.
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Street Names: K-pins
Common Forms: Tablets (0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg)
Usage Context: Prescribed for seizure disorders and panic attacks.
Abuse Potential: High due to its long-lasting effects and potency.
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Street Names: Ativans
Common Forms: Tablets, injectable solution
Usage Context: Commonly used for anxiety disorders and as a pre-anesthetic.
Abuse Potential: High due to its potent anxiolytic properties.
Temazepam (Restoril)
Street Names: Jellies
Common Forms: Capsules (15 mg, 30 mg)
Usage Context: Often prescribed for short-term treatment of insomnia.
Abuse Potential: Moderate to high; primarily abused for its hypnotic effects.
Oxazepam (Serax)
Common Forms: Capsules
Usage Context: Used for anxiety and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Abuse Potential: Moderate; less commonly abused compared to others but still has potential due to sedative properties.
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Common Forms: Capsules
Usage Context: Primarily prescribed for anxiety disorders and alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Abuse Potential: Moderate; often used in clinical settings but can be abused for its calming effects.
Terms & Concepts:
Tolerance:
The need to take higher doses of the drug over time to achieve the same effect.
Dependence:
Physical or psychological reliance on a drug characterized by withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
Symptoms that occur when a person stops using a drug they are dependent on; can include anxiety, tremors, seizures.
Half-life:
The time it takes for half of the drug’s active substance to be eliminated from the body; benzos vary in their half-lives which affects their duration of action.
Rebound Anxiety:
Intense anxiety that can occur when the effects of
Opioids
In the brain, opioids bind to receptors that control pain and reward, creating a feeling of euphoria but also disrupting normal brain function over time. Chronic opioid use can lead to addiction, as the brain becomes dependent on the substance to release dopamine, impairing judgment, memory, and emotional regulation.
Physically, opioids slow down critical bodily functions such as breathing and heart rate, which can result in respiratory depression, a potentially life-threatening condition. Long-term opioid abuse also weakens the immune system, increases the risk of infections, and causes gastrointestinal issues like constipation.
Understanding the damaging effects of opioids on the brain and body underscores the importance of seeking proper treatment for addiction.
Prescription Opioids:
Oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet)
Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin, Norco)
Morphine (e.g., MS Contin, Kadian)
Codeine (found in some cough syrups and pain medications)
Fentanyl (e.g., Duragesic, Actiq) – synthetic opioid, often used in severe pain cases
Hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid, Exalgo)
Oxymorphone (e.g., Opana)
Methadone (used for pain relief and in opioid addiction treatment)
Buprenorphine (e.g., Suboxone, Subutex) – used for pain and in opioid addiction treatment
Tramadol (e.g., Ultram)
Illicit Opioids:
Heroin illegal opioid derived from morphine
Illicit Fentanyl non-prescription, highly potent and often mixed with other drugs
Opiates
Opiates, including drugs like morphine, heroin, and codeine, have profound effects on both the brain and body. In the brain, opiates bind to opioid receptors, blocking pain signals and triggering the release of dopamine, which creates intense feelings of pleasure and euphoria.
However, repeated use can lead to dependence, as the brain becomes reliant on the substance to feel normal. This can impair cognitive function, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Physically, opiates slow down essential bodily functions, including breathing and heart rate, which can result in life-threatening respiratory depression. Long-term use also weakens the immune system, increases the risk of infections, and causes gastrointestinal problems like severe constipation.
Natural Opiates:
Morphine often used for severe pain relief
Codeine used to treat mild to moderate pain and as a cough suppressant
Thebaine not used directly as a medication but as a precursor for semi-synthetic opioids
Semi-Synthetic Opiates:
Heroin an illegal, highly addictive drug made from morphine
Hydrocodone (e.g., Vicodin) a prescription painkiller for moderate to severe pain
Oxycodone (e.g., OxyContin, Percocet) commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain
Oxymorphone (e.g., Opana) used for pain relief
Hydromorphone (e.g., Dilaudid) a powerful pain medication used for severe pain
Stimulants
The relentless cycle of stimulant abuse can lead to significant changes in brain chemistry, impairing cognitive function and decision-making abilities.
Over time, these substances can cause the brain’s reward system to malfunction, resulting in intense cravings and a diminished ability to feel pleasure from natural rewards.
Physically, the effects of stimulant addiction can be equally harmful, leading to increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues. In addition, chronic use can weaken the immune system, cause severe weight loss, and lead to other health complications.
Amphetamines
Adderall: A prescription medication used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, often abused for its stimulating effects.
Dexedrine: Another brand name for dextroamphetamine, prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, sometimes misused.
Benzedrine: A brand of amphetamine historically used as a nasal inhaler and also abused for its stimulant properties.
Methamphetamine
Crystal Meth: A highly addictive form of methamphetamine that appears as clear crystals or bluish-white rocks.
Ice: Street name for high-purity methamphetamine in crystalline form.
Crank: Slang term for low-purity, powder form of methamphetamine.
Tweak: Colloquial term referring to the compulsive behavior exhibited by users under the influence of methamphetamine.
Cocaine
Crack Cocaine (Crack): A freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked, known for its immediate but short-lived high.
Methylphenidate
Ritalin: Prescription medication for ADHD, often misused as a cognitive enhancer or stimulant.
Concerta: Another brand name for methylphenidate with extended-release properties.
Cathinones (Synthetic Stimulants)
Bath Salts: A term used to describe synthetic cathinones sold under misleading labels; known for causing severe physical and psychological effects.
Flakka: A potent synthetic cathinone linked to extreme behavioral reactions.
MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine)
Ecstasy: Popular street name for MDMA pills often used recreationally at parties and clubs.
Molly: Purportedly pure crystalline powder form of MDMA, though often adulterated with other substances.
These varying effects contribute to each substance’s specific experiences and dangers. The worst withdrawal symptoms are treated at the detox level of care. While detox removes the substances from the body, it is important to note that addiction is a disease of mind, body, and spirit. Subsequent levels of treatment will help to address the mind and spirit aspects of addiction.
Significant Changes in the Brain
Regardless of the substance involved, addiction leads to notable alterations in how the brain works:
- Reward Pathway: Substances hijack the brain’s reward system, making them seem more pleasurable than natural rewards like food or social interaction.
- Stress Response: Chronic drug use disrupts the body’s stress response system, leading to increased sensitivity and a higher risk of anxiety or depression.
- Decision-Making: Drugs impair the brain regions responsible for rational thinking and decision-making, making it harder for someone with SUD to prioritize long-term goals over immediate gratification.
- Self-Control: Continuous substance abuse weakens the brain areas involved in self-control, making it challenging to resist cravings and impulses
Why Do I Need Professional Treatment For Substance Use Disorder?
Understanding these aspects of substance use disorders helps to lay the foundation for recognizing why seeking professional help is crucial in overcoming this chronic disease:
Medical Support: Substance abuse treatment programs offer medical expertise to manage withdrawal symptoms safely and address any underlying health conditions. We offer established medical support throughout each patient’s time in treatment with us to help provide additional support for recovery.
Therapeutic Interventions: Counseling and therapy sessions help individuals understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and build a support network. We utilize both group and individual counseling to help address topics such as life skills development, anger management, emotional regulation, and trauma-informed one-on-one sessions to broach for sensitive topics.
Holistic Approach: Comprehensive treatment approaches consider all aspects of an individual’s well-being – physical, mental, emotional, and social – to promote lasting recovery. By addressing each piece that makes up an individual, it leads to more comprehensive healing.
Relapse Prevention: Learning how to identify triggers, manage stress, and prevent relapse is essential to the recovery journey.
By recognizing addiction as a complex disease that affects both the brain and behavior, we can move away from stigmatizing attitudes and provide the support and resources necessary for individuals to regain control of their lives.
Addictions Treated at Milton Recovery
- Alcohol addiction (alcoholism)
- Cocaine addiction
- Crack addiction
- Fentanyl addiction
- Methamphetamine addiction
- Opiates addiction
- Opioids addiction
- Sedatives addiction
- Stimulants addiction
- Prescription medication addiction
Early intervention in substance use disorder can significantly alter the trajectory of recovery, reducing the physical, emotional, and social toll on individuals and their loved ones. Timely treatment not only increases the chances of successful recovery but also minimizes the risk of severe health complications, fostering a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
We understand the urgency of addressing substance use disorders and is dedicated to offering support whenever it’s needed. Our team is available 24 hours a day to provide guidance and immediate assistance to both those seeking treatment and their families. Don’t hesitate to reach out—your path to recovery starts with a single call.
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- Access to top-rated addiction centers
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