What is a substance abuse disorder?

Substance use disorder is the clinical term for a condition that affects a person’s behavior and brain, making it increasingly difficult for them to control their use of drugs, alcohol, or medication. Over time, people who suffer from additions often find themselves experiencing increasingly severe consequences. Substance use disorders can destroy a person’s relationships, finances, legal standing, families, and mental and physical health. Overdoses can claim lives.

Given that substance use disorders affect a person’s motivation and decision-making abilities, individual willpower is rarely sufficient to curb an addiction once it has developed. Left untreated, addictions tend to get worse — never better. If you or a loved one has developed a substance use disorder, reach out for help today. Clinical addiction treatment programs, such as NuView Treatment Center, can help people recover completely and lead fulfilling lives in sobriety.

Substance Abuse and Addiction

A person can have a substance abuse problem with any mind-altering substance. The term “substance abuse” is often confusing to people. This is partly because many substances that people abuse are perfectly legal. It is also confusing to people because substance abuse is often socially encouraged — and so in certain settings or social milieus it can even appear “normal.” It is important to recognize that the term “substance abuse” does not refer to mean illegal or abnormal. Substance abuse merely refers to a manner of drug or alcohol use that is harmful.

Substance abuse is not the same as addiction, though addiction often results from substance abuse. Drugs and alcohol make the brain feel good, and they are thus habit-forming. When a person has developed an addiction to a substance, then they find it increasingly difficult to stop using it. They may even suffer from painful withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop. Over time, drugs or alcohol may completely take over a person’s life. An addicted person may recognize the harms that substance abuse has caused, but they will feel powerless to stop.

What are the most commonly abused substances?

A person can develop a substance use disorder with any mind-altering substance. It is crucial to recognize that just because a substance is legal, does not mean it is non-addictive or incapable of being abused. In fact, the most widely abused substance in the United States is alcohol.

Moreover, even pharmaceutical drugs that have widely recognized medical uses can be extremely addictive. The United States is currently suffering from an opioid epidemic that claims roughly 50,000 lives per year. The driving force behind this epidemic comes in the form of prescription opioid painkillers. These drugs, which are perfectly legal and frequently prescribed by physicians, are several times more addictive than the more infamous “street drug” heroin. The most commonly abused substances in the United States include:

Alcohol

Alcohol abuse and alcohol addiction, which are often known colloquially as alcoholism, can damage a person’s life and is the fourth leading cause of preventable death. Alcoholism takes many forms and can have a wide variety of effects on a person’s health, mental well-being, and behavior. Common effects include slurred speech, decreased brain function, impaired motor skills, and a higher likelihood of engaging in high-risk behaviors. At higher doses, the effects of alcohol intoxication become more acute and dangerous.

Crystal Meth

Methamphetamine, also referred to as meth or crystal meth, is a highly addictive stimulant that provides users with a rush of energy and euphoria. Meth increases levels of dopamine along with adrenaline to create a pleasurable feeling and increase mental and physical energy. Due to the intense stimulation caused by meth on the brain, body, and nervous system, prolonged meth use can produce many negative consequences that affect both psychical and mental health.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl abuse is currently the driving force behind the United States’ opioid epidemic. This powerful synthetic opioid is one of the most addictive opioids on the market. With a potency 50-100 times stronger than morphine, the likelihood that a user will overdose on fentanyl is high. Individuals who develop addictions to fentanyl not only suffer severe consequences in their lives, they also put themselves at a high risk of a life-threatening overdose.

Cocaine and Crack

Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant that can be very addictive. Cocaine is typically consumed in powder form and snorted; however, it’s also often injected or smoked in the form of crack cocaine. Cocaine produces an increase in energy, confidence, as well as feelings of euphoria. It’s due to these desirable effects that cocaine has a high potential for abuse. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) in 2012, 38 million people reported trying the drug in their lifetime.

Opioids

Opiates are a type of drug that is derived originally from the opium poppy. Natural opiates have been used for thousands of years for medical, religious, and recreational purposes. In the last few hundred years, semi-synthetic and fully synthetic opiates that are far more potent have been developed. While addiction has always been a problem with opioid use, the potency of these lab-produced opiates has led to skyrocketing addiction rates in the United States – and throughout the world.

Heroin

Heroin, a member of the opiate family, is perhaps the most infamous street drug in the world. It is notorious for being extremely addictive, having high overdose rates, and being almost impossible to quit without considerable outside help. Heroin deserves this reputation. Once a person has developed a heroin addiction, they immediately begin to experience a wide range of consequences that can cause absolute devastation in their lives.

Marijuana

Marijuana is by far the most widely abused illicit drug in the United States. Marijuana is popular partly because it is affordable, easily accessible, and increasingly perceived as harmless. While it can’t be denied that marijuana has fewer direct adverse effects than other illicit substances, such as heroin or crystal meth, individuals who abuse marijuana can develop physical dependence and addiction.

Benzodiazepines (Benzos)

Benzodiazepines, which are often known simply as “benzos,” are a type of prescription sedative. They are also sometimes known as prescription tranquilizers, or more properly anxiolytics. An anxiolytic is a drug that has the effect of reducing a person’s anxiety. Indeed, anxiety reduction is the main reason that benzodiazepines are prescribed. However, benzodiazepines have a very high potential for physical dependence. In fact, benzodiazepine addiction can become so severe that withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, comas, or death.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug addiction occurs when a person develops a physical dependence and a psychological obsession with one or more pharmaceutical medications. This kind of addiction can occur with people who are legitimately prescribed medications by a doctor. It is also common for people to purchase pharmaceutical medications illicitly. Most cases of prescription drug abuse and misuse are a result of a person pursuing the euphoric feelings — or “high” — that these medications often provide as a side effect.

Suboxone

Suboxone is a medication used to treat opioid use disorder. Suboxone is a combination medication that contains two drugs, buprenorphine, and naloxone. Both of these drugs are often prescribed separately to treat people suffering from opioid addiction. However, when they are combined they offer unique effects that are particularly effective at mitigating symptoms of opioid withdrawal. While the medication is difficult to abuse, people suffering from addiction are often motivated to devise inventive and creative ways of abusing drugs — and methods do exist for abusing Suboxone.

How Does Addiction Develop?

In most cases, people begin using drugs or alcohol because they like the effects they feel. The mental, emotional, and physical effects of drugs and alcohol depend upon the specific substance. However, in most cases, the feelings of euphoria correspond to an increase in the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine plays an important role in the brain’s decision-making and motivation centers. It is how the brain rewards itself for behaviors that are worth repeating. Any activity the causes dopamine to be released is reinforced, and drugs and alcohol generally release enormous quantities of dopamine.

Once a person has used a substance for a while, their brain and body adapt to the effects. As a consequence, they may soon discover that taking the same dose no longer gets them high or drunk. To obtain desired effects, most people simply increase their dosage or consume drugs or alcohol more frequently. Naturally, the brain and body inevitably catch up to this dosage increase as well. This phenomenon, which is known as tolerance, can cause a person to rapidly increase their substance abuse levels as they chase increasingly fleeting effects.

Once a person has developed a physical dependence on a substance, they will begin to suffer withdrawal symptoms when they reduce their dosage or try to stop. Withdrawal symptoms can include a wide variety of mental, emotional, and physical symptoms, along with intense cravings. In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous — or even life-threatening. At this point, an individual may be using drugs and alcohol simply to prevent the onset of withdrawal feelings — without any actual desire to use them.

Physical dependence is difficult to deal with because of the intensity of withdrawal symptoms, but it is distinct from addiction. In fact, it is possible for a person to wean off of drugs or alcohol but remain addicted. This is because substance use disorders are ultimately mental health disorders. They are characterized by obsessive thoughts and cravings, even when a person has been abstinent for a period of time. Individuals suffering from addiction may intellectually recognize how harmful drugs and alcohol are for them, but they often find that they are powerless to control their urges no matter what they do.

What are the Risk Factors for Substance Use Disorder?

Anyone can develop a substance use disorder. Depictions of addicts and alcoholics in television shows and movies have led to harmful stereotypes. Many people mistakenly believe that certain types of people can be addicts, while others are less prone to addiction. In actual fact, individuals from all walks of life can develop substance use disorders. Drug and alcohol addictions can develop among people of any economic status, gender, age, or sexual orientation. However, certain risk factors can somewhat increase the likelihood.

• Mental health disorders. Mental health disorders predispose people to addiction. Individuals who suffer from anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and other mental illnesses are often drawn to drugs and alcohol because these substances offer temporary relief from distressing emotional symptoms. Self-medicating using drugs or alcohol, however, often leads to addiction.
• A family history of addiction. Addiction has a strong genetic component. Studies have repeatedly shown that having a family member with a substance use disorder dramatically increases the likelihood that a person will develop one themselves. While the genetic aspect of this is undeniable (twins separated at birth also tend to develop addictions at the same rates), growing up with active addicts or alcoholics also has a significant effect.
• Peer pressure. Many people begin abusing drugs or alcohol to fit in. Young people are particularly susceptible to this kind of social pressure. When children have peers who abuse drugs or alcohol, they are at risk for addiction.
• Early use. Individuals who try alcohol or drugs at a younger age are more likely to develop dangerous habits around substances. One reason for this is that the brain is not fully developed before adulthood. During early brain development, it is actually easier for a person to develop new habits — and therefore addiction. Moreover, early use can damage a person’s prospects — making them more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol to cope.
• Lack of a support system. Not only do levels of social support influence how likely a person is to recover from a substance use disorder, but peer support can also determine how likely a person is to develop one in the first place. Individuals who feel less supported are more likely to develop mental health disorders — and they may turn to drugs or alcohol to deal with their suffering or loneliness.
• Using certain substances. Some substances are more addictive than others. These drugs release more dopamine in the brain and have more intense withdrawal effects. Drugs such as cocaine, stimulants, opioid painkillers, and alcohol tend to result in the rapid onset of symptoms of addiction. Moreover, the route of administration a person uses matters as well. Injecting or smoking drugs can increase the likelihood of addiction.

Signs and Symptoms of Substance Use Disorder

Addiction exists on a spectrum. Some people find it almost impossible to function in their lives — in which case their substance use disorder will likely be obvious to friends and family members. Other people, however, manage to fulfill their commitments and live some semblance of a normal life. Inside, they may be suffering — and they may even suffer significant consequences that they successfully hide from others. For these so-called “functional addicts,” it is often difficult to recognize their own addictions.

They may think to themselves: “I am a college student with a 4.0 GPA. How could I be an addict?” or “I have a two-car garage. There’s no way I’m an addict!”

Unfortunately, by not seeking help, these individuals are only letting their addictions progress and worsen. They will likely continue to suffer in silence, and they will generally find that their period of being “high functioning” is short-lived.

Friends and family members sometimes suspect something is wrong, but it can be even more difficult for them to recognize the signs. Addicts and alcoholics who live with their families, romantic partners, or friends, often take great pains to hide any evidence that they have a problem. With time, however, the signs of addiction are likely to slip out.

Common signs of addiction to look out for include:

• Lying about how they spend their time
• Increased secretiveness
• Stealing to obtain drugs or alcohol
• Unexplained and repeated outings that seem abrupt or urgent
• A change in peer group, including odd phone conversations or new and unseemly friends
• Financially unpredictability, such as having large quantities of money at times but not money whatsoever at other times
• Finding a “stash” of drugs, often in foil, paper, or plastic packages
• Finding drug paraphernalia, including weighing scales, cigarette papers, or oddly shaped pipes
• Abandoning social commitments, hobbies, or friends
• Increased social isolation
• Extreme mood changes
• Fluctuations in energy levels
• Weight gain or weight loss
• Pupils of the eyes appearing larger or smaller than usual
• Lack of attention to person grooming or hygiene
• Sleeping a lot less or a lot more than usual

It is important to be cautious if you have noticed these signs in a loved one. Many of these signs have other explanations as well. They could simply be unhappy or suffering from a mental health condition. Accusing a person of abusing drugs or alcohol rarely goes well — even if they are abusing drugs or alcohol. Nonetheless, the presence of these signs does indicate that your loved one needs help. Fortunately, NuView Treatment Center can help people recover from both substance use disorders and mental health disorders.

Diagnosing a Substance Use Disorder

Addictions are characterized by uncontrollable drug or alcohol use and harmful consequences as a result of this usage. It is crucial to recognize that a person can be an addict or alcoholic even if their life looks “normal.” It also does not matter how much of a substance they take. If they find it difficult to control or moderate, that is sufficient. If they suffer from repeated negative consequences, that is also sufficient. These negative consequences look different from person to person.

After noticing the signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder, you may suspect that you or your loved one has a problem. However, it is important to get a proper diagnosis from a medical professional. Substance use disorders are serious and legitimate mental health disorders that should not be treated lightly.

Physicians diagnose substance use disorders by looking at a set of criteria outlined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The DSM-5 lists 11 different symptoms. Since substance use disorder is a spectrum condition, that means that a person does not need to exhibit all 11 symptoms to be diagnosed. Individuals who suffer from 2-3 symptoms can be diagnosed with a mild substance use disorder. Those who exhibit 4-5 symptoms can be diagnosed with a moderate substance use disorder. Those who have more than 5 symptoms suffer from a severe substance use disorder.

Substance use disorders are diagnosed using the following criteria:

• A person often takes substances in larger amounts or over a longer period of time than they intend to
• A person has a persistent desire to cut down or control their substance abuse, but they are often unsuccessful
• A person spends a large portion of their time in activities necessary to obtain drugs or alcohol, use drugs or alcohol, or recover from the effects of drug or alcohol abuse
• They experience cravings, or a strong desire to use drugs or alcohol
• Their regular substance use results in failures to fulfill role obligations at work, school, or home
• Substance use continues despite the occurrence of persistent social or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by the effects of opioids
• Important activities are given up to engage in drug or alcohol abuse
• Using drugs or alcohol in situations in which it is physically hazardous, such as driving while under the influence
• Continuing to use substances despite knowing that one has a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is caused by or exacerbated by substance abuse
• Developing a tolerance, causing one to need increased quantities of a substance to achieve the desired effect
• Suffering from withdrawal symptoms

If you notice any of the above symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it is important to reach out as soon as possible. Even mild substance use disorders tend to progress and become increasingly more severe. A medical professional can diagnose a substance use disorder and design a treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Conditions

People who suffer from substance use disorders tend to have mental health conditions as well. Moreover, people who have mental health conditions are at a higher risk for developing an addiction. According to studies conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 50% of addicts suffer from mental illness, and 50% of people with mental illnesses have addictions. Individuals who suffer from addiction, as well as a comorbid mental health condition, are known as dual diagnosis patients.

The following mental health disorders are often comorbid with addiction:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorder
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Personality disorders

There are many reasons why there is such a significant overlap between addiction and mental health conditions. One reason is that people who suffer from mental health conditions often turn to drugs and alcohol to obtain relief from their most distressing symptoms. Over time, they may come to depend on this self-medication to function.

Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse can exacerbate underlying mental health problems and even cause people to develop new mental health disorders. Withdrawal symptoms can cause significant mood disorders. Ironically, this can drive a person to abuse substances even more, as they seek relief even more desperately. The result is a vicious cycle from which it is difficult to escape.

Dual diagnosis patients need to treat all of their underlying conditions. Even people who engage in a high-quality addiction treatment program are likely to relapse if they do not address their underlying mental health problems. Moreover, treating depression is likely to be ineffective if a person continues to take drugs and alcohol that worsen their depression.

Quality treatment centers, such as NuView Treatment Center, offer integrated treatment for dual diagnosis patients. At NuView Treatment Center, we recognize that addiction rarely occurs in a vacuum — it is often deeply intertwined with trauma and mental illness. We have repeatedly seen how quickly clients make progress when their mental health disorder is properly diagnosed and treated.

Long Term Dangers of Substance Abuse

It does not take long for drug and alcohol abuse to destroy a person’s life. Drug and alcohol use disorders lead to many long-term negative consequences. These include mental problems, such as major depression and anxiety disorder. They also include physical health problems, such as heart disease or liver damage. Drug and alcohol abuse also leads to changes in the brain that make it increasingly difficult to exert willpower, which can make addictions more and more difficult to recover from with each passing year. However, in many ways, the most significant long-term dangers of substance abuse are the indirect harms, which include legal problems, financial difficulties, injuries, poor overall health, and damaged relationships.

Long-Term Physical Effects of Addiction

The physical health problems associated with addiction depend in large part on the specific substances being abused. Most substances cause problems with a wide range of body systems and organs. Drug and alcohol abuse often also cause a person to engage in unhealthy habits, neglecting sleep, diet, and pressing medical needs. Common physical health problems associated with addiction include:

• Respiratory system problems. Individuals who use smoking as a primary route of administration for drugs tend to develop breathing problems. Respiratory system diseases they may develop include lung cancer, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Moreover, certain depressant drugs, such as opioids, can depress breathing, which can worsen the symptoms of asthma.
• Kidney damage. A wide assortment of drugs can cause kidney damage, due to the kidney’s role in processing toxic substances. These problems can include kidney failure, which can be fatal. Factors that lead to kidney failure include increased body temperature, dehydration, and breakdown of muscle tissue — all of which are commonly caused by drug and alcohol abuse.
• Cardiovascular system problems. Stimulant drugs, including cocaine, crack, and crystal meth, are very hard on the heart. Every time they are used, they cause damage. This increases the likelihood of developing heart disease and heart failure. Moreover, injecting drugs can also cause cardiovascular problems. Injecting drugs can lead to collapsed veins, infections of the heart, or infected blood vessels.
• Liver damage. Prescription opioids, heroin, and alcohol can all cause significant liver damage. When these substances are combined, the consequences can be even more severe. Over time, the possibility of life-threatening liver failure increases dramatically.
• Gastrointestinal damage. Drugs and alcohol can damage the stomach, intestines, and lead to acid reflux, chronic pain, or constipation.

Long-Term Effects of Addiction on the Brain

As noted above, drug and alcohol abuse can exacerbate pre-existing mental health disorders and cause people to develop new ones.  However, there are also several ways that the brain is altered on a neurological level when a person regularly abuses drugs and alcohol. These changes include:

• Memory changes. Substance abuse can affect memory and learning. Blackouts and memory gaps are common.
• Impaired cognitive function. Glutamate and other neurotransmitters are affected by regular drug abuse. Addiction can make it more difficult to learn and think clearly.
• Brain cells die. Drugs and alcohol can actually kill brain cells. This is because alcohol and many drugs are actually toxic to the body. When brain cells are killed off, the damage is generally permanent.
• Changes in brain connections. Substance abuse changes the structure of the brain’s reward system, which can make a person crave drugs even more. It also changes the physical connections between neurons in many other parts of the brain.

Adolescents and children with addiction are particularly vulnerable to these neurological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Substance abuse can alter the direction of a developing brain’s growth. While many of these changes are semi-permanent, keep in mind that the brain can heal when a person successfully quits drugs or alcohol and engages in a recovery program.

Lifestyle Consequences of Addiction

Once a person has developed an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they tend to prioritize substance abuse above all other activities in their life. As a result, they often begin neglecting aspects of their lives that are non-essential, such as their hobbies or friends. Even mild to moderate substance addiction can cause a person’s life to significantly narrow and become less rich.

Over time, however, drug and alcohol abuse may become so prioritized that even essential life activities fall by the wayside. A person may neglect their job, their finances, their health, and even their families. They may also find themselves making impulsive decisions to obtain drugs, such as stealing. Legal problems, financial difficulties, and increasing social isolation can eventually wreck a person’s life.

Ironically, as a person’s quality of life decreases, they become more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Psychoactive substances offer temporary relief from suffering, and they allow people to live their lives in a fantasy world — even if entering that fantasy world ends up only worsening the underlying problem.

Dangers of Trying to Quit By Yourself

It is common for people with substance addictions to avoid seeking help. In fact, among the millions of Americans with drug and alcohol use disorders, only 11% ever actually seek treatment. The vast majority of addicts and alcoholics are in denial about their condition. Part of this is due to stigmas surrounding addiction. Many people mistakenly believe that suffering from addiction is “weak” or is a result of a lack of willpower. Rather than recognize addiction as a treatable mental health condition, they will repeatedly try to manage it on their own.

It is critical to recognize the contradiction inherent in the idea of managing addiction on one’s own. Addiction, by its very nature, affects the brain’s decision-making and motivation centers. When a person suffers from a drug or alcohol use disorder, one of the primary symptoms is an inability to control their substance abuse — no matter how hard they try. In this sense, addiction is a disorder of the will. Trying to cue it on one’s own by exerting more personal willpower is like trying to cure a broken leg by running a marathon.

In some cases, however, individuals do manage to withdraw from drugs and alcohol on their own. This arduous withdrawal process can free them from a state of physical dependence. However, it does not cure their underlying addiction. All too often, physical dependence and addiction are confused. Addiction, unlike physical dependence, is a mental health condition. Once a person has withdrawn, they will continue to experience cravings and obsessive thoughts about drugs or alcohol — and they may even feel like they can use again. The result is a continuous cycle between quitting and relapsing that can be utterly demoralizing.

It is also important to understand that most people abuse drugs and alcohol for a reason. Many do it to self-medicate the symptoms of an underlying mental health disorder, to assuage feelings of loneliness, or because they have no hopes for their future lives. In this sense, even though addiction is harmful, drugs and alcohol serve an important purpose for addicts and alcoholics. Simply quitting substances without developing alternative behaviors is often a recipe for disaster. For this reason, most addiction treatment programs are not simply about abstinence. Clinical treatment programs help people develop a wide range of life tools, increased structure, and a strong social support system.

Treating Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorder is a chronic mental health condition. Like other chronic conditions, there is no overnight cure for addiction. However, a quality treatment program can help a person learn to live with a substance use disorder. Just a person with diabetes or high blood pressure can live symptom-free by following a treatment plan, individuals with substance use disorders can live joyful and prosperous lives free of the cravings and compulsions associated with addiction.

Treatment for substance addiction is designed to help people accomplish three tasks:

• Stop using drugs and alcohol
• Remain drug and alcohol-free over the long term
• Live quality lives and be productive at work, in the family, and society

Outpatient rehab programs are effective for all three goals. Outpatient treatment centers offer clinical addiction treatment for individuals suffering from substance use disorder at any level of severity. Clients live by themselves, with their families, or in sober living homes, and they attend outpatient rehab sessions while living their normal lives. This means that outpatient rehabs can help people who have busy lives filled with commitments, such as individuals with families or active careers. These flexible programs can be tailored to anyone’s needs.

Outpatient rehabs utilize a wide range of therapeutic modalities. Individuals attend treatment regularly, during which time they take part in an assortment of therapies. Behavioral counseling often takes the form of group therapy, though individual cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy are also common. Outpatient rehabs also employ physicians who may sometimes prescribe medication to help clients get through the difficult stages of withdrawal.

Outpatient treatment centers offer programs that cover all levels of care. These distinct programs are designed to meet the needs of clients suffering from addiction at all levels of severity. Outpatient programs include:

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

Partial hospitalization programs are the highest level of care offered. These programs often require clients to attend treatment sessions most days of the week for the majority of each day. Partial hospitalization programs are recommended for individuals whose addictions have made it difficult or nearly impossible to function in their everyday lives.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

Intensive outpatient programs are suitable for people who have recently finished a PHP or for those who struggle with everyday tasks due to their addiction. Intensive outpatient programs generally meet several days a week for multiple hours. Clients take part in therapy sessions and learn important life skills.

Outpatient Programs

Outpatient programs generally meet once a week for an hour or two. These programs are ideal for those who have recently finished a more acute treatment program, such as a PHP or an IOP. Outpatient programs help clients continue to develop and strengthen their coping tools. Meanwhile, they offer support as clients work to rebuild their lives in the outside world.

Aftercare Planning

Treatment centers in Los Angeles ensure that clients have a plan in place before graduating. After all, addiction can never be permanently eradicated — but it can be treated. Aftercare resources, including 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, help people continue to implement sobriety skills and stay in touch with a strong sober social support system.