Substance Use Treatments services offered in Laurel, MD
If you have cravings for alcohol or drugs or can’t stop using them without having withdrawal symptoms, it’s time to talk with Myriam Diatta, MSN, FNP-BC, at MyHealth LLC, about substance use treatments. She offers medication-assisted treatment that lets you detox and recover from your addiction without entering an in-patient program. If you’re ready to take that step and move into a life where you can truly thrive, call the office in Laurel, Maryland, or book an appointment online today.
Substance Use Treatments Q & A
What is substance use disorder?
Substance use disorder refers to the ongoing and excessive use of drugs or alcohol even when they cause problems with your health and in your life. The disorder encompasses all the different substances people overuse, including:
- Opioids
- Alcohol
- Cannabis
- Hallucinogens
- Inhalants
- Sedatives
- Hypnotics
- Stimulants
Though you can overuse these substances without developing an addiction, substance use disorder significantly raises your risk of becoming dependent.
How does substance use become an addiction?
Alcohol and drugs stimulate your brain’s reward and pleasure system. They trigger a surge of brain chemicals that elevate your mood, make you feel confident, and take away your pain.
As you keep using these substances, they cause physical changes in your brain. That’s when your brain starts to depend on the substance you use, and you develop strong cravings.
After you have cravings, you can’t stop using the drug or even lower the amount you take. If you do, you have withdrawal symptoms. Once your brain reaches that stage, it needs ever-increasing doses to achieve the same euphoric feelings or pain relief. That’s when you have a full-blown addiction.
What type of substance use treatments might I receive?
MyHealth LLC offers a type of substance use treatment called medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Though MAT works for all types of addictions, Myriam specializes in helping people with opioid addictions safely detox and recover from their addiction with MAT.
MAT is a program that combines medication with counseling:
Medication
Myriam prescribes Suboxone® and buprenorphine. These medications allow you to detox without having cravings or withdrawal symptoms. They also help to rebalance your brain chemicals.
The great advantage of Suboxone® and buprenorphine is that you take your first dose in the office under Myriam’s close supervision. Then you continue taking your medication at home, going back to the office for regular checkups to be sure you have the right dose. You can safely detox while going to work and taking care of daily life.
Counseling
Counseling helps you identify the emotions, habits, behaviors, and circumstances that make you turn to drugs or alcohol. Then you learn the skills you need to overcome these challenges, stay in control, and resist drugs in the future.
You can safely kick a substance use disorder with MAT. To learn more, call MyHealth LLC, or book an appointment online today.
