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Substance Use Support

 Find resources to help you or someone you care about move towards recovery. 

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The road to recovery

We’re glad you’ve decided to learn more about recovery.

A substance use disorder is a treatable disease involving the brain, body, environment, and life experiences.

Since each of these factors are different for each person, so is the path to recovery.

What’s true for everyone is that getting high quality treatment and support can make all the difference. We’re going to walk through how to get there, together.

Dr. Yusra
Psychiatrist

One step at a time

The journey starts by making the decision to try to get better, then finding treatment and building your support system. 

 

Start the journey

The first step is to acknowledge that substance use is impacting you and others close to you.

Find care

Learn about your treatment options so you can get the right help.

Build support

Recovery is possible with quality treatment and the right support system.

Call our substance use helpline

Get anonymous support 24/7 from an advocate who is trained in substance use care and recovery. They can help you find treatment, typically within 24 hours.

Call and talk with an advocate now: (855) 780-5955

Taking the first step

It takes courage to take the first step towards recovery. Being open about what’s happening is part of the process to help you get better.

So right now, let’s think about having that conversation. You can talk with your primary care doctor or a professional through a helpline. They can help you decide what to do next.

Also, look for ways to get support from friends, family and other people in recovery. This process may take some time. You’ll need people in your corner every step of the way.

 

Dr. Yusra
Psychiatrist

Ready to talk to someone now?

You can start the process with one confidential phone call. You’ll talk with an advocate who is trained in substance use and recovery. These calls are anonymous.

They’ll listen to what’s happening with you now, help you know your options and if you’re ready, connect you with services that are right for you. Including scheduling an evaluation.

Call our Substance Use Helpline at 1-855-780-5955 or you can search for substance use providers in our directory.

Open up with your doctor

You are not alone, more than 20 million people in the U.S. have a substance use disorder. Primary care providers meet people every day who are struggling with substance use. They can help you take the next step. And anything you share with them is confidential.

 

Try an online assessment with ATLAS

Not ready to talk to someone just yet? No problem. You could start with taking an online assessment.

This assessment is provided by Shatterproof, a leading organization in helping people understand addiction, break down stigma, and get the right support.

Their tool called ATLAS offers you the chance to learn more about what services might be helpful for you based on what’s happening with you now.

There are 10 questions, and it takes less than 10 minutes.

Take the ATLAS Assessment

Learning to talk about your substance use

For many people one of the hardest parts of getting better is learning to talk about their substance use. But this is a really important part of getting better. Here are some tips:

1: Start with the people you feel most comfortable with. None of these conversations are easy, but it helps to talk to someone who is a good listener.

2. Keep it simple. Think about what's really important to you and what you need help with.

3. Be kind to yourself. Finding the right words is hard. Give yourself time. It gets easier the more you try and practice.

 

Call our substance use helpline

Get anonymous support 24/7 from an advocate who is trained in substance use care and recovery. They can help you find treatment, typically within 24 hours.

Call and talk with an advocate now: (855) 780-5955

Finding the right care for you

When thinking about recovery, it helps to remember that it’s different for everyone. This includes who you work with, where you get your care and how medications may help you.

For some types of treatment and medications, you may need to talk to your care provider to get authorization from your insurance company.

 

Dr. Yusra
Psychiatrist

Types of care

Every person has a different path to recovery. It’s about getting the right
care, at the right time, for what you need.

 

Individual or group support

With this type of care, you work with a doctor or therapist for counseling and/or medication.

Counseling can be 1:1 or in a group setting, in person or virtually. It usually includes a few hours of therapy per month.

 

Substance use treatment programs

These types of programs require a bit more time. They can take place in offices, clinics or hospitals. You get to work with counselors 1:1 and in group settings, in person or virtually.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • Commitment of at least 9 hours a week
  • Usually won’t get access to a provider who can prescribe medications

 

Partial Hospital Program (PHP)

  • Commitment of at least 19 hours a week
  • Will get access to a provider who can prescribe medications that may support you in your recovery efforts

 

24-hour care

These types of care are needed when your symptoms can’t be safely treated outside of a 24-hour care setting. Your team should work with you to design an after-care plan.

Inpatient Hospital

This is a higher level of care for people in crisis. You’ll spend the night in the hospital and get nursing and medical care to stabilize your symptoms.

Residential Treatment

In a treatment center, you’ll get individual and group counseling and work with other patients going through recovery. Sometimes medications will be offered. How long you stay depends on your needs and your progress.

 

Five questions to ask treatment providers

  1. What accreditations do you have?
  2. Do you use evidence-based care?
  3. Do you follow the American Society of Addiction Medicine standards of care?
  4. Do you support people who also have mental health challenges? (if applicable)
  5. How will you connect me to continued care and support?

Why quality matters

Some facilities and providers offer the same generic treatment for everyone. In some cases they may even give misinformation.

Your care should always be customized for you, every step of the way.

Success isn’t about getting through a program, it’s about staying in recovery over time. It takes quality care to get there.

How medicine may help

Combining counseling and medications has been proven to help people get better and sustain their recovery.

What can medications do?

  • Reduce cravings for alcohol and opioids
  • Reduce the number of drinking days and the risk of overdose
  • Improve the chances of sustained recovery

 

Talk with your counselor or doctor about which medication may be the best for you. If they don’t prescribe them, ask them to help you connect with someone who does.

 

Find substance use specialists here.

 

Call our substance use helpline

Get anonymous support 24/7 from an advocate who is trained in substance use care and recovery. They can help you find treatment, typically within 24 hours. 

Call and talk with an advocate now: (855) 780-5955

Building support for recovery

Recovery isn’t a single event, it’s an ongoing journey of change and growth. It helps us improve our health and wellness and live a life that we control. Recovery is supported through our connections with others - family, friends and peers in recovery.

Having support matters. You don’t have to do this alone.

Explore more to see how to build and stay connected to your recovery supports.

 

Dr. Yusra
Psychiatrist

Support from family and friends

Opening up to others about your situation can be one of the most courageous things you do – and one of the most important. It’s how you can build understanding, and the support you will need. Consider starting the conversation right now with someone you trust. And remind yourself:

People are more accepting (and forgiving) than you might think

Your family and friends probably know you’re having a hard time. They know it will be hard for you to talk about things. You might be surprised how willing they are to listen. And how much they care.

Be as open and straightforward as possible

It’s good to acknowledge that your substance use may have impacted them. Let them know what you’re going through. They may not know the whole picture.

Remember this is a disease, and it’s treatable

If you worry your friends and family might judge you, tell them that what you’re going through is a disease, just like any other medical problem. And it can get better with treatment.

Speak with someone 24/7 to get local support 

Local communities often have programs for recovery support. If you’re not sure what’s available in your area, helpline advocates have access to program directories. They can help you find support that’s close to home.

 

 

Substance Use Helpline: Speak with a recovery advocate, 24/7. Call 1-855-780-5955 ​.

 

SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Treatment referral and information service, available in English and Spanish. Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Build your support system - near and far

Mutual self-help groups give you a way to connect with others who have similar goals and experiences. They are typically free, anonymous, and easily accessible. These can be in-person or virtual.

 

 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): Leading organization to support recovery from alcoholism. Learn more about AA

Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Peer support for people recovering from substance use issues with narcotics. Learn more about NA

SMART Recovery: Support meetings for anyone seeking science-based addiction recovery. Learn about SMART Recovery

 

Explore independently

If you’re new to recovery, you may be surprised by the amount of information and support that’s out there. Whether you want to learn more about addiction, available treatments, or recovery – you have many resources available to you.

 

 

Living in Recovery: Resources and recovery tools from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Explore recovery tools

Virtual recovery resources: Listings of resources and hotlines from the U.S. Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration. View guide

Get help finding the right care.

Call the 24/7 Substance Use helpline to speak with a licensed clinician. Confidential, anonymous and free for everyone.

Call (855) 780-5955.

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