Opioid Use Disorder

Up to 46 million Americans have a substance use disorder (SUD), a group of conditions that cause changes to the brain’s structure and function. At Total Wellness Healthcare Clinic in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, primary care, medical weight loss, and aesthetics specialist, Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician Yetunde Sannoh, MD, provides complete care for substance use disorders, including counseling, lifestyle guidance, and medication management. These efforts combined can help you wean off dangerous substances and break free from the chains of addiction. Call Total Wellness Healthcare Clinic today to schedule substance use disorder treatment, or book your appointment online. 

Do I have a substance use disorder if I regularly drink alcohol?

Not necessarily. A substance use disorder occurs when you use a mind-altering substance, like alcohol or opioid medications, so much that it causes distress or impairs your quality of life. 

There’s nothing wrong with having a glass of wine or drinking a beer occasionally, but if you come to rely on these substances to escape bad feelings or treat underlying health problems, like chronic pain, seeking treatment is essential. 

Regardless of your symptoms, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Seeking professional treatment is the first step toward recovery.

Is substance use disorder and addiction the same thing?

Substance use disorder and addiction are terms many people use interchangeably, but they aren’t the same: 

Substance use disorder

An SUD refers to a pattern of chronic or habitual drug or alcohol use. Over time, it can affect your relationships, physical health, and quality of life.

Addiction

An addiction is the most severe form of SUD. It occurs when you become physically dependent on a substance, like alcohol or opioids. Once you’re physically dependent, you need it to function normally. 

How is substance use disorder treated?

At Total Wellness Healthcare Clinic, Dr. Sannoh treats substance use disorder with an integrative, patient-centered approach. This typically includes:

Counseling (talk therapy)

Counseling is a type of mental health care that teaches you how to cope healthily with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 

Many people with SUDs use drugs and alcohol to escape their feelings. Counseling pinpoints the source of this desire to escape and gives you tools to handle it without harming yourself. 

Professional medication management

Certain substances, like alcohol and opioids, cause users to become physically dependent. Trying to wean off these substances alone can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. 

Medication management uses prescription drugs to reduce cravings and ease uncomfortable symptoms so you can safely overcome your addiction.

Healthy lifestyle changes

Living a sober lifestyle requires changing how you view the world around you. This takes time, effort, and commitment, but healthy lifestyle changes can make the process much easier. Dr. Sannoh educates you on various tools to help you achieve sobriety, including improved sleep hygiene, stress management, and better nutrition.

Call Total Wellness Healthcare Clinic today to schedule substance use disorder treatment, or book your appointment online.