Understanding Substance Use and Recovery

A treatable health condition

Substance use disorders change how the brain responds to reward, stress, and self-control. They are not a moral failing. Effective treatment exists, and recovery is possible.

Levels of care

• Clinical assessment — a licensed clinician recommends the right level of care.
• Medically supervised withdrawal management (detox).
• Residential treatment at a licensed facility.
• Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
• Outpatient counseling.
• Continuing care, recovery support, and relapse-prevention planning.

Medications can help

FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) and alcohol use disorder (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram) are effective parts of treatment when prescribed and monitored by a clinician.

Questions to ask any program

• Are you licensed by the state? Are you accredited?
• What are your staff’s credentials?
• Do you offer or support medications for substance use disorders?
• How do you treat co-occurring mental health conditions?
• What will this cost — in writing?