Patient Education
Substance use disorder is a broad category that includes addiction to a number of agents including alcohol, opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, marijuana/cannabis and other agents. Addiction creates physical dependence on the drug, creating compulsive seeking and craving when the drug is available, and agonies of withdrawal when it is not. Recently, science has learned much more about the chronic disease of addiction, which changes the person’s brain chemistry in a way that he/she cannot understand or control. Each substance has a unique impact on our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Please the click the specific substance below to learn more about the specific drug addiction and options for addiction help and drug rehab.
Family & Friends of those Affected by SUD/AUD
When you have a close friend or family member who is suffering from addiction, you, too, are living in pain. You have probably watched helplessly as the person you love is slowly erased by “the addict.” You may have already joined them on a roller coaster of hope and despair, as they have tried to get sober- only to relapse again.
Science has recently learned much more about the chronic disease of addiction, which changes the person’s brain chemistry in a way that he/she cannot understand or control. Treatment has changed, too. The long-term goal is durable recovery in which a person “gets on with her/his life” and ongoing therapy is gradually minimized. There are many pieces that must come together for recovery: physical and behavioral health, and critical social issues such as work, housing, transportation, health insurance. But the most important piece is commitment: treatment isn’t possible until the person is ready to accept help.
What Can You do to Help?
- Understand that addiction is not a moral choice but a brain disorder that requires professional assistance. Like any chronic disease, such as diabetes or hypertension, addiction can be managed by informed and long-term treatment.
- Assure your loved one that she/he will be treated with respect and empathy by the IAC team; we will work with them to “get their lives back.”
- The moment your loved one is ready to try treatment, dial our number immediately and have him/her talk with us directly. Our nurse care manager understands and will schedule him/her quickly to visit with our drug rehab team at our Memphis clinic.
- For a minor, a parent or guardian can insist on treatment. But, it is unlikely to be successful unless the patient is engaged, willing, and motivated.
- For a person over 18, you can only employ persuasion. Try to motivate the patient to make the connection for her/him-self.
You won’t give up on your loved one and neither will we.
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