When to Seek Help for Substance Use Issues

In case, at one stage in your life, you were in a situation where you worried about your drug and alcohol consumption, you are not alone.
Others might have tried to reduce their consumption but to no avail; some might have been encouraged by a friend or family member, and most of them have had a moment of reflection where they have felt that something is not right.
These insights are significant to your general psychological well-being.
The substance use continuum details about the extent to which substance use can interact with life in various ways, with some changing the life of a person in evident ways.

Use Continuum and SUD Differentiation

In the case of the use continuum, it is necessary to understand what makes serious substance use.
The utilization of substances becomes more problematic and begins to get more serious, and even more problematic, when it affects the normal and everyday functioning of your brain and the control of your emotions.
The American Psychiatric Association’s Fifth Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders identifies substance use disorder first by its problematic behaviors.
These behaviors lead to cognitive, emotional and physiological distress.
To put it simply, substance use disorders describe a scenario where an individual’s substance use governs their life, as opposed to the individual controlling their substance use.

Signs the Pattern Has Changed

This is not about the frequency of your use, but what is happening outside of it. Here are some clinically recognized warning indicators:

• Loss of control – Using more than you intended, or for longer than planned
• Failed to attempt to cut down – You tried stopping or reducing and found it more difficult than you had anticipated
• Cravings – A long-lasting and strong desire to use, even if you don’t want to
• Tolerance – You need to use more of a substance to get the same effect as before
• Withdrawal – Psychological or physiological discomfort when the substance is no longer present
• Neglecting responsibilities – Letting work, school, or family duties slide because of how much you are using
• Social isolation – Withdrawing from activities or people you used to care about
• Continued use despite problems – Using even after it has caused health issues, legal problems, or relationship issues

If several of these sound familiar, it is a clear indicator, and not a sign of poor character, but a clinical symptom that warrants attention.

When Waiting It Out Stops Being an Option

There is a tendency for people to tell themselves that they will get it together eventually.
Early-stage use sometimes does stabilize, but there are circumstances that warrant the need for professional help before it is too late.

Seek Help Without Delay If:

• Self-medication is included, and yours may point toward a dual diagnosis (substance use disorder + a mental health disorder); dual diagnoses are a common occurrence and require treatment of both conditions.
• Your mental health and/or emotional well-being is negatively affected by sleep problems, changes in your appetite, and/or your physical health is deteriorating due to unexplainable pain.
• You’ve blacked out, had an overdose scare, or a similar close call.
• Overwhelmingly, you feel you can’t stop, or, for your own sake, even in the absence of a contrary desire, feel you truly can’t cease your use.
• Multiple family and/or close friends and/or coworkers/associates and/or teammates have expressed concern and a pessimistic outlook repeatedly.

These are all factors that demonstrate the disorder is more extreme.

What Treatment Actually Looks Like

Obtaining treatment does not mean you have to check yourself into a hospital or treatment center and stop your daily responsibilities temporarily.
Outpatient behavioral health care is a great starting point, and more people would benefit if they knew how easy it is to access.
CFF Medical & Behavioral Health focuses on individualized, research-based treatment for substance use disorder.
This is tailored to who you are, your individual needs, and the particulars of your situation.
Care often involves:

• A complete psychiatric assessment to get a full clinical picture
• Medication management, when applicable, to assist with withdrawal or to mitigate cravings
• Dual diagnosis treatment, when a comorbid condition exists, such as depression, PTSD, or anxiety
• Continued follow-up to modify goals as you move forward

The focus is on assistance, not clinical labeling. Clinical stability, restructuring your life, and eliminating any reliance on substances to feel okay is the ultimate goal.

You Don’t Have to Be at Rock Bottom First

This is the most critical point to get across. Losing everything does not have to be a precursor to getting help.
The belief that someone has to hit rock bottom in order to warrant recovery is a very harmful misconception in behavioral health.
You are right. Early engagement in treatment does lead to more desirable outcomes.
If you feel something is not quite right, that in itself is more than enough reason to engage in a conversation with someone.

Join Us at CFF Medical & Behavioral Health

For patients within the state of Ohio, including the city of Columbus, CFF Medical & Behavioral Health offers both on-site and telehealth services, including same-day services.
Our providers are board-certified and provide comprehensive and truthful evaluations.
Call us at (614) 421-7969 to take this step.

Common Queries

Is substance use disorder a mental illness?

Substance use disorder is a mental illness, as stated in the DSM-5.
It is a mental health disorder that falls within the realm of brain chemistry, behavior, and emotional functioning, and is highly amenable to treatment that is based on empirical evidence.

What if I’m not sure whether I have a problem?

That feeling of uncertainty is in itself a problem that is worth the attention of a clinician.
A diagnostic evaluation is not a practice that one is ‘locked into’ – it is a diagnostic process that provides one with an accurate understanding of their state.

Can depression or anxiety be treated at the same time as substance use disorder?

Yes, and this approach is called dual diagnosis treatment. It is the most effective method when both disorders are present, and it is a lot more common than people think.

Does CFF Medical & Behavioral Health take insurance?

Yes. CFF is in-network with a variety of insurance plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Anthem BCBS Ohio, UnitedHealthcare, and more. See the full list here.