Alcohol Use Disorder
Persistent pattern of problematic alcohol use including inability to control drinking, continued use despite negative consequences, and significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.
- Inability to limit alcohol consumption
- Failed attempts to reduce or stop drinking
- Continued drinking despite health, work, or relationship problems
- Tolerance—requiring more alcohol to feel effects
- Withdrawal symptoms when not drinking
- Loss of interest in other activities
- Relationship conflict or social withdrawal
Alcohol use disorder has significant health, occupational, and relationship consequences. Evidence-based treatment including motivation enhancement, behavioral change strategies, and relapse prevention helps achieve sobriety and restore quality of life. Recovery is possible with proper support.
Drug Use Disorders
Problematic use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription medications, characterized by loss of control, continued use despite consequences, and significant impairment in functioning.
- Compulsive drug use or drug seeking
- Inability to control use or reduce consumption
- Continued use despite legal, health, or relationship problems
- Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
- Neglect of responsibilities and relationships
- Use in high-risk situations
- Failed attempts to quit or reduce use
Drug use disorders are serious health conditions requiring comprehensive treatment. Combined biological, psychological, and social factors drive addiction. Evidence-based therapy addresses underlying issues, builds motivation, and develops sustainable recovery strategies.
Prescription Medication Misuse
Problematic use of prescription medications including opioids, benzodiazepines, or stimulants, often beginning with legitimate medical use that progresses to dependence or addiction.
- Taking medication in larger doses than prescribed
- Inability to reduce use despite attempts
- Using medication for non-medical purposes
- Obtaining prescriptions from multiple providers
- Tolerance and withdrawal symptoms
- Continued use despite negative consequences
- Preoccupation with obtaining medications
Prescription medication misuse is increasingly common and often overlooked. Many people don't recognize they've developed dependence. Treatment coordinates with medical providers, addresses pain or anxiety management, and develops sustainable coping strategies.
Polysubstance Use
Problematic use of multiple substances simultaneously or sequentially, often including combinations of alcohol, drugs, and medications with complex interactions and combined effects.
- Use of multiple substances in various combinations
- Difficulty tracking all substances being used
- Complex withdrawal or addiction patterns
- Increased health and safety risks
- Greater impairment in multiple life areas
- More difficult to identify primary substance problem
- Higher medical complexity
Polysubstance use involves greater medical and psychological complexity. Comprehensive assessment identifies all substances used, complex addiction patterns, and underlying psychological drivers. Specialized treatment addresses multiple dependencies simultaneously.
Behavioral Addictions
Compulsive engagement in behaviors (gambling, gaming, sex, shopping, internet use, food) despite negative consequences, involving loss of control and significant distress or impairment.
- Compulsive engagement in behavior despite attempts to control
- Loss of control over frequency or intensity
- Continued behavior despite negative consequences
- Tolerance—needing more of the behavior
- Withdrawal or distress when unable to engage
- Significant impairment in work, school, or relationships
- Deception about extent of behavior
Behavioral addictions involve similar brain mechanisms to substance addictions and respond to similar evidence-based treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy, motivation enhancement, and skills development help restore control and improve functioning.
Dual Diagnosis & Co-Occurring Disorders
Simultaneous presence of substance use disorder and another mental health condition (depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder), where each condition influences the other.
- Symptoms of both addiction and mental health condition
- Using substances to self-medicate psychological distress
- Worsening mental health symptoms with continued use
- Complex treatment needs requiring specialized approach
- Higher risk of relapse and treatment complications
- Greater occupational and relationship impairment
- Often misdiagnosed or inadequately treated
Co-occurring disorders require integrated treatment addressing both conditions simultaneously. Treating addiction alone while ignoring underlying mental health, or treating mental health while ignoring addiction, is ineffective. We address both thoroughly.
