Addiction Treatment

What is addiction?

Addiction is a disease that’s characterized by the overwhelming urge to use a particular drug or substance, regardless of the negative effects it has on your health and your life. It affects your brain and your body, and it leads to impulse control issues and altered judgment.

Also called substance use disorder, addiction can compromise your health, safety, and quality of life. It’s possible to become addicted to legal substances like alcohol, nicotine, and opioid painkillers. Many illegal drugs are highly addictive as well, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids like heroin.

Substance abuse is another term that’s sometimes used interchangeably with addiction. Substance abuse involves using a substance like drugs or alcohol in a harmful way. As you continue abusing a particular substance, your risk of developing an addiction increases. 

What are the signs I need addiction treatment?

The compulsive need to use a substance is the most obvious symptom of addiction. This need is often intense and overwhelming, but signs can vary from person to person. Other symptoms of addiction can include:

• Going to extreme means to procure and use the drug
• Taking larger quantities of the drug to achieve the same high
• Taking the drug daily just to feel “normal”
• Neglecting responsibilities to use the drug

Many people suffering from addiction withdraw from social situations and relationships with others. Loved ones may notice unexplained changes in behavior, physical health, or problems at work or school.

If you have an addiction, it can feel impossible to quit using, no matter how much you want to stop. Addiction is a disease, and it’s not something you can cure alone. Like other diseases, it needs ongoing medical management, but recovery is possible after addiction.

How does addiction treatment work?

The providers at White Lake Family Medicine have extensive training in addiction treatment. They are members of the Michigan Society of Addiction Medicine (MSAM) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), and they’re committed to providing individual care for people recovering from addiction.

Your recovery plan is tailored to your needs. The team offers top-tier medication-assisted treatment (MAT), including:

• Daily medications
• Monthly medication injections

The team combines medication management with comprehensive mental health support and behavioral therapy for a holistic approach to recovery.

You can overcome addiction. To find out more about addiction treatment at White Lake Family Medicine, call the office or request a consultation online today.