Addiction Treatment Specialist

What problems can addiction treatment address?

Addiction treatment helps you break your dependence on substances, like opioids or alcohol, that do long-term damage to you physically, emotionally, and socially.

Common substances that cause addiction include:

• Heroin
• Hydrocodone
• Oxycodone
• Opium
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Oxymorphone
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Alcohol
• Tobacco

You may have initially started using these substances for legitimate reasons, like pain relief after surgery or injury. Opioids are highly addictive, however, so you may find it difficult to stop taking them even after you’ve healed. You may have started drinking socially or smoking as a stress reliever only to discover that you can’t live without alcohol or tobacco.

Addiction treatment can help you kick the habit and get your life back.

What are signs and symptoms of an addiction?

Suspect an addiction in yourself or a loved one if they demonstrate any of the following signs:

• Not being able to stop taking substances
• Taking medications long after the reason they started has resolved
• Slowed breathing rate
• Poor decision-making
• Physical agitation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Abandoning responsibilities
• Mood swings
• Anxiety attacks
• Low motivation

You might notice withdrawal symptoms within yourself or a loved one if you don’t have access to your addiction. These symptoms may include agitation, nausea, vomiting, sweating, chills, shaking, depression, pain, insomnia, and fatigue.

What should I expect during addiction treatment?

Shannon customizes your addiction treatment depending on the severity of your dependence, your health, and the substance to which you’re addicted. 

She may recommend a number of different therapies, including:

• Behavioral therapies
• Life skills training
• Support groups
• Group or individual counseling

She may also recommend drug therapy to help you overcome your addiction. Drug therapy uses alternative medications to bind to the same receptors in your brain that receive the “high” from opioids. 

These curative drugs don’t give you the same elation, but take up space on the receptor so you don’t get a “buzz” from your addictive drug. Shannon uses medication therapy judiciously and relies on counseling and behavior change to promote recovery and prevent relapse.

To find out more about how addiction treatment can help you or a loved one, call Glacier Mental and Family Health Solutions today or use the online tool to schedule an appointment.