Addiction and Substance Abuse

Wayne Health’s team understands that addiction to alcohol, drugs, prescription medications, nicotine products or gambling can take a toll on family, relationships, work and your overall health. Wayne Health’s services are focused on whole-person care and supporting long-term recovery. Our multidisciplinary team includes licensed therapists, nurses, psychiatrists and addiction medicine physicians who provide both inpatient and outpatient treatments.

Our approach to treatment is evidence-based and patient-centered taking into account medical and psychiatric comorbidities. We adapt to patients as their lives and situations change and are privileged to work and support them as they enter and sustain recovery.

The dedicated specialists at Wayne Health’s Problem Gambling Clinic provide comprehensive outpatient treatment in a confidential setting. Led by recognized experts in the field of gambling disorders, our trusted team will focus on your specific goals through a customized treatment plan.

Wayne Health provides individualized and integrated services and treatment, including:

• An intake evaluation team who works with you to identify and recommend treatment
• Outpatient medical detoxification treatment options
• Individual, group and family therapy
• Concurrent treatment to address addiction, mental health issues and behavioral addictions
• Medication-assisted treatment to manage withdrawal symptoms and support recovery
• An opioid treatment program at Tolan Park Research Center in Detroit offering methadone and buprenorphine treatment in combination with counselling and group therapy
• Telehealth consultation for some patients

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder is using substances in a way that harms you or leads you to harm others. Substances include alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, inhalants, prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines. Substance use disorder can range from mild to severe. Moderate to severe substance use disorder is sometimes called addiction.

With this type of use, you may not meet work or home duties. You may use substances in dangerous situations, such as when you drive. Substance use may cause problems in your relationships.

Substance use disorder can lead to:

• Using more of the substance over longer periods of time and needing more of it to feel “high.”
• Continuing to use the substance even though it harms your relationships and causes physical problems.
• Trying to quit using the substance but not being able to.
• Feeling sick if you stop using the substance (withdrawal).

Substance use disorder is a disease. It’s not a weakness or a lack of willpower.

What are the signs of substance use disorder?

You may have substance use disorder if two or more of the following are true. The more signs of this disorder you have, the more severe it may be.

• You use larger amounts of the substance than you ever meant to. Or you’ve been using it for a longer time than you ever meant to.
• You can’t cut down or control your use. Or you constantly wish you could cut down.
• You spend a lot of time getting or using the substance or recovering from the effects.
• You have strong cravings for the substance. You can no longer do your main jobs at work, at school, or at home.
• You keep using, even though your substance use hurts your relationships.
• You have stopped doing important activities because of your substance use.
• You use substances in situations where doing so is dangerous.
• You keep using the substance even though you know it’s causing health problems.
• You need more and more of the substance to get the same effect, or you get less effect from the same amount over time. This is called tolerance.
• You have uncomfortable symptoms when you stop using the substance or use less. This is called withdrawal.

What increases your risk for substance use disorder?

Certain things make you more likely to develop substance use disorder. These risk factors include:

• Genes. People with substance use disorder often have a family history of substance use.
• Gender. More men than women use substances.
• Mental health. You’re more likely to have substance use disorder if you have a mental health problem, such as depression or an anxiety disorder.
• Early use. The earlier you began to use substances, the more likely you are to develop substance use disorder.
• The substance you use and how strong it is. Some drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, are so strong that substance use disorder is possible no matter how you use them.
• Environment. If you live in an area where substances are easy to get and substance use is common, you’re more likely to use substances.
• Family and friends. You’re more likely to use substances if your family members or friends use them

How is substance use disorder diagnosed?

Substance use disorder may be diagnosed at a routine doctor visit. Or you may see your doctor for a health or social problem linked to drug use, such as anxiety, depression, or family conflict.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms, your past health, and your family history of substance use. He or she will do a physical exam and may do a mental health assessment.

How is substance use disorder treated?

If you think you may have substance use disorder, talk to your doctor. You and your doctor can decide whether you have this disorder and what type of treatment might help you. If you are physically dependent on the substance, you may need to stay in a hospital at first. There you can be treated for withdrawal symptoms.

One of the goals of treatment for substance use disorder is to help you get used to life without the substance. Counseling can help you prepare for people or situations that might tempt you to start using again. You can practice these skills through one-on-one counseling, family therapy, or group therapy.

Therapy may be part of inpatient treatment, where you stay in a treatment center. Or it may be part of outpatient treatment, where you can fit your therapy around your job or other responsibilities.

Another goal of treatment is to help you find ongoing support for your sober life. Many people find support by going to meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, or SMART Recovery. This type of support can help you feel less alone and more motivated to stay sober. You might talk to your doctor or do an online search for local treatment programs. Or you might tell a friend or loved one that you need help.

Physicians and researchers at Wayne Health are also faculty members of the Wayne State University School of Medicine who conduct research and clinical studies. This makes the latest treatments and clinical trials available to you sooner than other health providers without a medical school affiliation. We are fully committed to innovative research that advances care and treatment in behavioral health.

For more information, please visit the links below at the WSU School of Medicine.