Substance Use Disorder

You may have heard it called substance abuse or substance dependence, but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5^th Edition (DSM-5) officially refers to these conditions as substance use disorders. A person is diagnosed with substance use disorder when there is evidence that they exhibit impaired control and difficulty maintaining social relationships and use the substance in risky situations.

There are many different forms of substance use disorder, including:

• Alcohol addiction
• Benzodiazepine addiction
• Cocaine addiction
• Fentanyl addiction
• Heroin addiction
• Marijuana addiction
• Opiate addiction
• Prescription drug addiction
• Stimulant addiction treatment

At Silver Ridge, our multi-disciplinary team of medical professionals have experience treating all the above forms of substance use disorder. Our inpatient program is designed to meet the needs of midlife adults who are looking for a more personal approach to treatment than the typical group therapy route. Group therapy is a part of our program, but the central focus is individual therapy where we address the core of each client’s addiction.

Identifying Substance Use Disorder

What constitutes an addiction? It may be difficult knowing where the line between casual drinking or legal recreational drug use and addiction lies. The symptoms can differ from person to person, and circumstances can make it easy to hide an addiction, even from oneself, for years. However, there are some behaviors and signs you can look for.

Behavioral symptoms of addiction can include:

• Missing days at work or school
• Lack of motivation
• Unprompted feelings of anxiety or fear
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Using substances in dangerous situations, such as while operating a vehicle
• Frequently getting into difficult situations
• Sudden mood swings
• Periods of unprompted agitation or excitement

Social symptoms of addiction can include:

• Lack of interest in maintaining friendships
• Frequently hanging out with others who use substances
• Financial difficulties
• Using substances even when it hurts relationships

Physical symptoms of addiction can include:

• Abnormal changes in weight
• Unusual odors from sweat, breath, or on clothing
• Impaired coordination
• Difficulty speaking
• Bloodshot eyes
• Overall deterioration of physical appearance

Finding the Right Treatment for the Individual

A variety of circumstances and experiences can drive a person toward substance use disorder. For this reason, treatment takes different forms for every individual. It is important to unpack the various underlying factors of addiction for a more focused treatment. At Silver Ridge, we take a holistic approach to treatment that addresses the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of each person.

Acceptance and commitment therapy is the guiding philosophy behind all of our programs. This approach focuses on helping people accept stress and anxiety so they can find better ways to cope. Rather than dwelling on the past or future, we teach our clients how to act positively in the present.