Addressing Substance Use Disorders

Whether it is drugs, alcohol, smoking, or vaping, a substance use disorders clinic might be the solution needed to break free from these addictions. Maria Bajuyo, MD, board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist at Franciscan Health, explains why these clinics are essential to society.

Substance Use Disorder, Defined

Substance use disorder is updated terminology that has been used to identify disorders of addiction. The definition of addiction has gone through many changes over the years. But, the American Society of Addiction Medicine now defines it as a "treatable, chronic medical condition involving complex interactions between brain circuits, genetics, the environment and an individual's life experiences."

"Part of that definition, which is important to point out, is that prevention efforts and treatment approaches for addiction are generally as successful for addiction as those for many other of our chronic diseases," Dr. Bajuyo said.

Treatment For Substance Use Disorder

Before a person enters a substance use disorder treatment program, nurses screen individuals to ensure the clinic can appropriately address their needs. In some cases, patients may need to enter an inpatient or residential program -- for more intensive treatment than an outpatient clinic can provide.

Dr. Bajuyo and her colleagues use several medications to help patients through their addiction recovery. For example, naltrexone is used once a patient has stopped drinking in order to help them prevent a return to drinking. Additional medications are available for both alcohol use disorder and opiate use disorder.

In addition to medication, therapists introduce counseling as a crucial part of a patient's treatment timeline. Both group therapy and individual therapy are available at Franciscan Health.

"Counseling is a really important part of a multidimensional approach to good patient care," Dr. Bajuyo said. "It has consistently shown that patient outcomes are better when they have access to therapy as well as medication. Just like with many other psychological conditions of anxiety or depression, both therapy and medication together show the best outcomes."

Listen Now: Treating Substance Abuse

Maria Bajuyo, MD, board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist at Franciscan Health, discusses opioid addiction recovery in the Franciscan Health DocPod podcast.

Finding Trust Again

Opiate use can usually be a tricky situation to work through. Many people who become addicted over time were prescribed pain medication for legitimate reasons. Still, the addictive nature of opioids can lead patients down a dangerous path. They may not trust themselves to get to the point of recovery. Still, there's also a level of blame they may place on medical professionals.

"I do find there can be an anger or resentment, or even a mistrust toward the medical community among a certain subset of patients with opioid dependence, which is interesting when they seek treatment from medication," Dr. Bajuyo said. "It can create a rift or a disruption to doctor-patient trust, from the patients toward the physician even. That's an interesting thing to navigate as I am building relationships with patients and we are learning to trust each other, that there's some of that in my direction as well."

No matter what addiction people may be living with, professional treatment can help individuals get their lives back.