Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist in Boulder, CO

Attempts to stop using the abused substance may cause intense cravings, fixation, and physical illness that are associated with withdrawal. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, our Substance Abuse Treatment Specialistat Delos Psychiatry can help. Contact us today about our services or book online for an appointment. Together, we can break the cycle. You can also visit us at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302.

Substance abuse can begin in a number of different ways. For some, it can start with the experimental use of a recreational drug in social situations. For others, it may take hold after being prescribed a medical medication that’s hard to get off of. However it starts, substance abuse can take a big toll on your life and the lives of those around you.

What is meant by substance abuse?

Substance abuse is a consistent pattern of using a product (legal or illegal) that causes a significant decrease in the quality of one’s life. Those with substance abuse issues often have the compulsion to keep using in order to cope and/or artificially enhance certain feelings. Substances that are often abused are marijuana, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medicines.

How can substance abuse be prevented and controlled?

The best way to prevent and control substance abuse is through early education. This includes understanding how and why substance abuse develops. For example, substance abuse may start with using addictive drugs in recreational settings or abusing prescription medication. It also affects people of all ages, socio-economic statuses, and cultures. Substance abuse can also be prevented by:

● Avoiding temptation and peer pressure
● Developing healthy friendships and relationships
● Seeking help for mental illness as soon as possible
● Addressing trauma with a healthcare professional
● Learning healthy coping strategies for handling stress
● Knowing your family’s health history, including any instances of substance abuse

The risk of substance abuse decreases with continued awareness and education. A psychiatrist can help provide you with the healthy coping and stress-management strategies needed for healthy day-to-day living.

What is usually the first step in treatment for drug abuse?

When it comes to drug abuse, the first step often comes down to the individual admitting that they have a problem that requires treatment. They have to realize a motive for getting sober, acknowledge and understand that they have an addiction, and be willing to take the steps toward sobriety.

The next step is seeking out professional treatment, which may require either inpatient or outpatient care depending on the complexity of your condition.

At Delos Psychiatry, we’re committed to helping you take the necessary steps toward your recovery. If you’re struggling with substance abuse, know that you don’t have to struggle alone. Contact us today for more information about our services or book online at your earliest convenience. You can also visit us at 2501 Walnut St. Suite 204 Boulder, CO 80302. We serve patients from Boulder CO, Denver CO, Silverthorne CO, Longmont CO, Superior CO, Lafayette CO, Broomfield CO, Erie CO, and Niwot CO.

What are the causes and effects of substance abuse?

Those battling substance abuse often struggle with the intense urge to self-medicate via the substance they’re dependent on. This typically leads to impaired judgment, which can lead to dangerous decision-making, financial ramifications, and problems maintaining personal and professional relationships. Substance abuse also holds hands with addiction, where a person becomes physically and/or psychologically dependent on a substance.

Substance abuse is present in people all over the world. There are many reasons why a person may develop substance abuse issues, including:

● Having genetic predisposition. If substance abuse runs in your biological family, you have an increased risk of developing it yourself.

● Having other mental health issues. People with mental health disorders are more likely to develop substance abuse problems. It’s estimated that up to 60% of adults with substance abuse issues also have a past or current mental health issue.

● Stress. Those experiencing high levels of stress, no matter the cause, are more vulnerable to substance abuse. Substances are often used as a maladaptive coping strategy to try and alleviate stress.

● Social and environmental factors. Children and adolescents exposed to substance abuse in their home lives or social circles are more likely to develop issues.

● Childhood trauma or neglect. Clinical studies have shown a big causal relationship between childhood trauma and developing substance abuse issues into adolescence and adulthood. It has been shown that abuse, neglect, the loss of a parent, family illness, and household instability can contribute to mental health issues and substance dependency.

● Poor familial and/or social support. Those with a good social support system and/or a functional family unit are less likely to experience dependency issues. Those without are more prone to developing mental health and substance abuse problems.

● Peer pressure. For many, exposure to controlled substances first happens within their social group. Peer pressure has been found to affect people’s probability of developing a dependency on substances.
● Seeking out certain feelings. Some people may seek the euphoria that certain drugs provide, while others use substances to enhance their performance or create output. Others may turn to certain substances to self-medicate, seeking relief from their depression, chronic pain, anxiety, family problems, etc. Once the brain knows it can experience relief through these products, it often begins to crave them more.