Substance Abuse

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse describes the actions of someone who can’t control how much or how often they use substances, such as alcohol, prescription medication, or illegal drugs. 

Also known as substance use disorder and addiction, substance abuse can have devastating consequences on your work performance, personal relationships, and physical and mental health.

What are the symptoms of a substance use disorder?

Substance abuse can cause changes in brain function; these changes can affect your critical reasoning and may impair your judgment, affecting your ability to make good decisions and control your impulses. 

Substance abuse also interferes with memory and is associated with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. 

If you’re suffering from a substance use disorder, you may experience the following behaviors: 

• Constant, intense cravings for the substance 
• Needing increasing amounts of the substance 
• Failure to meet job or family obligations 
• Avoiding social activities 
• Neglected physical appearance
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Weight loss or weight gain

If you’ve experienced negative consequences due to substance use, but you still continue to use the drug, or if you’ve attempted to stop using the substance but failed, you may benefit from substance abuse treatment with a qualified mental health professional. 

What treatment is available for substance abuse?

Dr. Alice Edwards and the team at Hope Recovery Services are compassionate providers with extensive training and experience in a variety of therapeutic techniques. They have the expertise to help you permanently end your dependency on substance use. 

The team specializes in a holistic, integrative approach, and designs customized intensive and supportive outpatient programs based on your individual needs.

Your personalized substance abuse treatment plan may include:

• Addiction therapy
• Individual counseling
• Group counseling
• Family counseling
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy

All substance abuse programs include relapse prevention counseling, using moral recognition therapy, drug education, and other evidence-based techniques, to offer lasting recovery from substance abuse. 

By giving you the skills to cope with the stressors associated with relapse and helping you build a support system, substance abuse treatment can end your struggles with substance use and help you regain control over your life.

If you think you have a substance use disorder, don’t wait to get help. Schedule a confidential evaluation with a licensed mental health professional at Hope Recovery Services in Houston. Call the office, or make an appointment online today.