What Is Addiction Medicine?

 

Addiction medicine is a field of healthcare focused on helping people who are struggling with substance use, dependence, and substance use disorders. Deciding to get help can bring up a lot of questions. What kind of treatment do you need? Will you have to stop using a substance all at once? Does treatment mean going to rehab? What happens if you have tried to stop before and it didn’t work?

These are understandable concerns, and there is no single path to recovery that works for everyone.

Rather than treating addiction as a lack of willpower, addiction medicine approaches substance use disorders as health conditions that deserve evidence-based, individualized care. Treatment can address both the physical and mental health aspects of substance use while helping patients build greater stability throughout recovery.

At Revive & Thrive Mental Wellness, addiction treatment may include medication-assisted treatment, ongoing provider support, virtual appointments, medication monitoring, and other services designed to make receiving care more manageable and accessible.

What Is Addiction Medicine?

Addiction medicine focuses on the prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery of people experiencing substance-related health concerns.

A provider may look at not only what substance a person is using, but also how it is affecting their physical health, mental health, daily life, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a treatable chronic medical disease involving interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences.

In other words, addiction can be complicated—and treatment should reflect that.

Depending on the type of substance use disorder and a person’s individual needs, addiction medicine treatment may involve:

• A medical evaluation
• Medication when appropriate
• Support for withdrawal symptoms and cravings
• Medication management
• Behavioral health or counseling support
• Monitoring throughout treatment
• Identifying co-occurring mental health concerns
• Developing strategies to support long-term recovery

The goal isn’t simply to tell someone to “stop using.” Effective treatment looks at what may be making change difficult and helps provide the medical care and support needed to move forward.

Addiction Treatment Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Two people struggling with the same substance may need very different treatment plans.

One person may be primarily struggling with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another may also be experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic pain, or other concerns that affect substance use and recovery.

That is why addiction medicine starts by understanding the whole person, not simply the substance being used.

Your provider may ask about:

• Your current and previous substance use
• Medications you currently take
• Previous attempts to stop or reduce substance use
• Withdrawal symptoms you have experienced
• Physical health conditions
• Mental health symptoms
• Family and medical history
• Your current support system
• Your goals for treatment

From there, an individualized treatment plan can be developed around your needs.

Mental health and substance use can also be closely connected. Someone may use substances to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, or other symptoms. At the same time, substance use may make certain mental health symptoms more difficult to manage.

For people experiencing both concerns, addressing mental wellness can be an important part of recovery. You can learn more about the mental health specialties available at Revive & Thrive.

How Can Medication Support Addiction Medicine Treatment?

For certain substance use disorders, medication can be an important part of addiction medicine and an individualized recovery plan.

Medication does not replace the work involved in recovery. Instead, it can address some of the physical symptoms that may make recovery more difficult.

Depending on the substance and medication being used, treatment may help:

• Reduce cravings
• Relieve withdrawal symptoms
• Help a person feel more physically stable
• Reduce the effects of certain substances
• Make it easier to remain engaged in treatment

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) explains that medications are available to treat certain substance use disorders, including opioid and alcohol use disorders.

Medication may be combined with behavioral health support and other forms of care as part of an individualized treatment plan.

Revive & Thrive also provides medication management services to help patients receive appropriate medications and ongoing monitoring throughout treatment.

What Is Suboxone?

One medication you may hear about during treatment for opioid use disorder is Suboxone.

Suboxone combines two medications: buprenorphine and naloxone. Buprenorphine can help reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while naloxone is included as part of the medication’s formulation.

For someone trying to stop using opioids, cravings and withdrawal symptoms can create significant barriers to recovery. Medication can help make those symptoms more manageable so the person can focus on other parts of treatment and rebuilding daily life.

SAMHSA identifies buprenorphine as an evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder. The length of time someone takes medication can vary depending on their individual situation, response to treatment, and provider recommendations.

At Revive & Thrive, the substance use treatment program includes medication-assisted drug therapy and access to Suboxone treatment when clinically appropriate.

Is Medication-Assisted Treatment Just Replacing One Drug With Another?

This is one of the most common misconceptions surrounding medications used in addiction treatment.

Medications such as buprenorphine are prescribed and monitored specifically to treat opioid use disorder. When taken as directed, they can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings and provide greater stability during recovery.

Using an evidence-based medication under the supervision of a healthcare provider is different from uncontrolled substance use.

Medication may not be appropriate for every person or every type of substance use disorder, which is why working with a qualified healthcare provider is so important.

Your provider can help determine whether medication should be part of your treatment plan and continue monitoring your progress along the way.

When Should You Consider Addiction Medicine Treatment?

You do not have to wait until substance use has caused a major crisis to ask for help. Addiction medicine can provide support at many different stages, including when you are first beginning to question your relationship with a substance.

It may be worth talking with a healthcare provider if you have noticed that:

• You have tried to stop or cut back but have had difficulty doing so.
• You experience strong cravings.
• You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop.
• You need increasing amounts of a substance to experience the same effect.
• Substance use is affecting work, school, finances, or relationships.
• You continue using despite noticing physical or emotional consequences.
• A significant amount of your time revolves around obtaining, using, or recovering from a substance.
• You are worried about your substance use even if other people have not noticed a problem.
• You previously received treatment but are struggling again.

You also do not have to be completely certain that you have a substance use disorder before speaking with someone.

Sometimes the first step is simply having an honest conversation about what has been happening.

Do You Have to “Hit Rock Bottom” Before Getting Help?

No.

You do not need to lose a job, damage a relationship, experience an overdose, or reach a particular level of severity before treatment is appropriate.

Getting support earlier can allow you to address substance use before its consequences become more serious.

If part of you is already wondering whether your substance use has become difficult to control, that concern can be worth discussing with a professional.

Treatment is not something you have to earn by struggling enough first.

What About Withdrawal?

Withdrawal symptoms can vary considerably depending on the substance, how frequently it has been used, the amount used, how long it has been used, and the person’s overall health.

Symptoms may include things like:

• Nausea
• Shaking or tremors
• Headaches
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety or mood changes
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Strong cravings

Withdrawal can look very different depending on the substance involved.

In some situations, suddenly stopping a substance can also be medically dangerous. This is particularly important with substances such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, where severe withdrawal can require medical supervision.

If you are concerned about dependence or withdrawal, talk with a healthcare professional before attempting to abruptly stop a substance on your own.

A provider can help determine the appropriate level of care and whether additional withdrawal-management services or medical monitoring may be necessary.

What Does Addiction Medicine Treatment at Revive & Thrive Look Like?

Starting addiction medicine treatment can feel intimidating, especially when you do not know what to expect.

Revive & Thrive works to make the process as straightforward as possible.

During the initial process, patients may be asked to provide information such as:

• Insurance information
• Current medications and dosages
• Medical history
• Current and previous health conditions
• Relevant past procedures

Your provider can then learn more about what you are experiencing, discuss your goals, and determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Revive & Thrive’s addiction and substance use treatment services currently include:

• Medication-assisted drug therapy
• Virtual appointments with a provider
• Local pharmacy pickup for Suboxone
• On-location urine drug screening

Revive & Thrive provides addiction treatment through several Maryland locations. You can view Revive & Thrive’s locations here.

What If Addiction and Mental Health Concerns Are Happening at the Same Time?

Substance use does not always happen in isolation.

Some people struggling with substance use are also living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, or another mental health condition. Others may have begun using substances as a way of coping with difficult emotions, traumatic experiences, stress, or symptoms that felt overwhelming.

When substance use and mental health concerns occur together, it can be important to consider both when developing a treatment plan. Addiction medicine can be one part of a broader approach that considers both substance use and mental wellbeing.

Treating only one piece of the puzzle may leave other factors affecting a person’s wellbeing unaddressed.

Revive & Thrive offers care for a range of mental health conditions and specialties, allowing patients and providers to look at mental wellness from a broader perspective.

How Addiction Medicine Can Support Long-Term Recovery

There is no single version of what recovery should look like. One of the goals of addiction medicine is to create a treatment approach that can adapt to a person’s individual needs throughout recovery.

For some people, treatment includes medication. For others, therapy or peer support becomes an important part of their plan. Many people benefit from a combination of medical, behavioral, social, and lifestyle support.

Treatment can also change over time.

What you need during the first few weeks of recovery may be very different from what you need six months or several years later.

Recovery is a process, and experiencing a setback does not erase the progress someone has already made.

Building routines that support overall physical and emotional wellbeing can also become an important part of long-term recovery. Revive & Thrive offers additional tips for staying well that can help support everyday mental wellness.

What If You’re Nervous About Asking for Help?

Feeling nervous, embarrassed, or unsure about seeking addiction treatment is common.

You may worry about being judged. You may wonder whether your substance use is “bad enough.” You may have tried treatment before and feel discouraged about trying again.

Those feelings do not mean treatment cannot help.

You also do not need to have your entire recovery plan figured out before your first appointment.

The first step can simply be talking openly with a provider about where you are now, what you’ve been experiencing, and what you would like to change.

From there, you can begin determining what kind of support makes sense for you.

If you still have questions about getting started, Revive & Thrive’s frequently asked questions cover topics such as telehealth appointments, prescriptions, insurance, and what to expect from care.

Taking the First Step Toward Addiction Medicine Treatment

Asking for help with substance use can feel like a major step, but you do not have to wait until everything has fallen apart to begin making a change.

Addiction is treatable, and addiction medicine gives patients access to evidence-based options that can help address cravings, withdrawal symptoms, mental health concerns, and other barriers that may make recovery more difficult.

At Revive & Thrive Mental Wellness, the goal is to provide compassionate, individualized care that considers the whole person—not just a diagnosis or symptom.

If you are struggling with opioid use or another substance-related concern, learn more about addiction treatment at Revive & Thrive and reach out to the team to discuss your options.

You do not have to know exactly what your recovery will look like before taking the first step. We can help you determine what comes next.