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Substance Use Disorder Treatment
in Sacramento, CA

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Substance Use Disorder (SUD) represents a significant challenge and expense for contemporary society. This complex condition impacts the brain and behavior, resulting in a compulsion to use various substances—whether they’re legal drugs, illegal narcotics, alcohol, or prescription medications—despite harmful consequences.

The precise mechanisms by which SUD emerges remain somewhat elusive, yet the destructive impact on both individuals and the wider community is well-documented. Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that issues such as excessive alcohol use alone impose an annual financial burden of approximately $223.5 billion on the United States.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing periods of lockdown have intensified the challenges associated with substance use and addiction. Extended isolation, along with the stresses of economic uncertainty and personal upheaval, have significantly worsened the rates of SUD and concurrent mental health issues across numerous populations. At Sacramento Mental Health, we are dedicated to addressing these complex issues by providing comprehensive treatment and support tailored to our community’s needs.

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SUD Risk Factors

The origins of substance use disorder (SUD) remain largely unclear. Various elements contribute to its development, including genetic predispositions, the effects of the substance itself, peer influences, emotional challenges, anxiety, depression, and environmental stresses.

The pathways to developing SUD are as diverse as the individuals affected. Each person’s journey is unique, yet there are commonalities in the conditions that heighten susceptibility. These risk factors often intersect with other issues, such as mental health disorders, sometimes referred to as co-occurring mental disorders.

At Sacramento Mental Health, we recognize several risk factors that can contribute to the onset of SUD, including:

  • A personal or family history of substance abuse or mental health disorders
  • Experiences of childhood abuse or neglect
  • Economic hardships or ongoing financial stress
  • Exposure to traumatic events
  • Serious physical injuries or conditions requiring long-term management with prescription pain medications
  • Environments characterized by extreme stress, such as living or working in a war zone

Our treatment programs are designed with an understanding of these varied and complex backgrounds, ensuring personalized and effective care for our clients.

SUD Signs

The initial indicators of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) can be quite difficult for loved ones and close friends to detect. Individuals suffering from SUD often conceal their struggles due to widespread misconceptions and stigmas that incorrectly frame substance use and addiction as a moral failing, rather than the disease it truly is. Typically, assistance is sought only when the disorder has escalated to a stage that can no longer be masked.

If you suspect that you or someone close to you might be dealing with a substance use issue, it’s important to observe any behavioral or mood changes. At Sacramento Mental Health, we help you recognize the signs:

  • A noticeable withdrawal from hobbies, social circles, and activities once enjoyed
  • Neglect of responsibilities at work or school, such as frequent absences and incomplete assignments
  • Significant weight fluctuations and changes in eating habits
  • Altered energy levels, either increased or decreased, often paired with changes in sleeping patterns
  • Increased secrecy regarding activities and personal spaces
  • Growing isolation from friends and family
  • Neglect in personal grooming and hygiene, such as wearing the same clothes for extended periods or avoiding bathing
  • Financial difficulties, including frequent borrowing of money or stealing
  • Unexplained and severe shifts in mood and energy levels

 

Understanding these signs is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment, which we prioritize in our approach to care at Sacramento Mental Health.

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SUD: Health Effects

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) affects individuals across all ages and walks of life. This pervasive, often recurrent disease can be life-threatening, yet it remains treatable, and many people successfully recover from it.

Symptoms of SUD manifest as changes in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, which can alter how individuals interact with others and make decisions. Often, a noticeable decline in functionality is necessary to warrant an official diagnosis of SUD.

The consequences of SUD vary widely, influenced by the type of substance used, duration of use, dosage, and the individual’s health prior to and following substance use. Each person’s response to substance use is uniquely shaped by their physical and mental health history. Below are some common substances and their associated health effects.

Short-Term Health Effects of Substance Abuse:

  • Opioids: Symptoms often include flu-like effects such as stomach upset, vomiting, constipation, and fatigue, along with shallow breathing which can escalate to coma, unconsciousness, or death.
  • Benzodiazepines: Effects may include appetite changes, sleep difficulties, nausea, vomiting, muscle spasms, significant fatigue, and concentration issues.
  • Stimulants: These can cause elevated blood pressure, hallucinations, erratic and sometimes violent behavior, irritability, paranoia, changes in appetite, disrupted sleep patterns, and potentially psychosis.

Long-Term Health Effects of Substance Abuse:

  • Opioids: Long-term use can result in muscle and bone pain, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, irritability, bouts of excessive energy, cold flashes, and persistent shallow breathing, which can lead to unconsciousness, coma, or death.
  • Benzodiazepines: Chronic use may cause ongoing sleep issues, fatigue, nausea, headaches, and cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, confusion, and unclear thinking.
  • Stimulants: Extended use can lead to weight loss, depression, confusion, exhaustion, malnutrition, sleep problems, and psychosis, with permanent damage to vital organs including the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs, raising the risk of stroke, brain damage, heart attack, or death.

Customized Treatment Plans

The intricacies of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) are amplified by the diversity of individuals it affects. Consequently, a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment is not feasible. Effective treatment plans must be customized to address your specific needs. At our center, we utilize a variety of treatment modalities to address the mental, physical, and emotional toll of substance abuse. We advocate for an evidence-based strategy in our treatment programs to aid our clients in recovering from SUD and any concurrent mental health conditions.

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Get Mental Health Services in Sacramento, CA

If you or a family member are seeking a path to a healthier future, learning about various treatment options can be a crucial step. Gaining self-confidence and independence through life skills is part of navigating the road to recovery. To find out more about connecting with services that can offer support, consider reaching out to professionals in the field today.

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