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Scottsdale phone: 480-750-0095
Gynecologic Oncology phone: 480-608-0050
Goodyear phone: 623-227-0009
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Substance Use
Substance Use
Substance use in women is often related to family or partner use, a co-occurring mood disorder such as depression or anxiety, or an eating disorder. Some women start using drugs as a way to initiate and maintain intimate relationships. Women who have a substance use disorder (SUD) are also more likely to have histories of trauma. Many patients with substance use disorders (SUD) also have co-occurring mental illnesses and comorbid conditions that providers recognize need concurrent treatment.
Consequences of substance use for women include physical complications, the risk of losing custody of children under their care, and exposure to intimate partner violence.Additionally, there are reproductive consequences to substance use during pregnancy that can include fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, long-term cognitive deficits, low birth weight, or miscarriage. Here at Alium Health we place an emphasis on integration of medical and behavioral health when approaching treatment of SUD’s. Alium Health focuses its treatment in a confidential, non-judgemental, compassionate, familial oriented approach to helping women become free of substance use.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
The use of medications, in combination with counseling provides a whole patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications can be used in the treatment of substance use disorders and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s need. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders, and for some medications can help sustain recovery.
The FDA has approved several different medications to treat substance use disorders. These medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that occur with substance use disorders. Medications used are evidence-based treatment options and do not just substitute one drug for another. Medications used to treat alcohol use disorders include acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. Common medications used to treat opioid use disorders include buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. These medications operate to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects, relieve psychological cravings and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of substance use.
Medication can also be used to prevent an opioid overdose by reversing the toxic effects of the overdose. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), naloxone/narcan is one of the most common medications used to prevent an opioid overdose.
Patient Support Programs
The use of medications, in combination with counseling provides a whole patient approach to the treatment of substance use disorders. Medications can be used in the treatment of substance use disorders and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are clinically driven and tailored to meet each patient’s need. Research shows that a combination of medication and therapy can successfully treat substance use disorders, and for some medications can help sustain recovery.
The FDA has approved several different medications to treat substance use disorders. These medications relieve the withdrawal symptoms and psychological cravings that occur with substance use disorders. Medications used are evidence-based treatment options and do not just substitute one drug for another. Medications used to treat alcohol use disorders include acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. Common medications used to treat opioid use disorders include buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone. These medications operate to normalize brain chemistry, block the euphoric effects, relieve psychological cravings and normalize body functions without the negative and euphoric effects of substance use.
Medication can also be used to prevent an opioid overdose by reversing the toxic effects of the overdose. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), naloxone/narcan is one of the most common medications used to prevent an opioid overdose.
Supportive Care Coordination
Care coordination is a harmonized, individualized approach that links that patient with appropriate services to address their specific needs and helps them achieve their stated goals. Care coordination for patients with substance use disorders (SUD) has been found to be effective as it helps patients stay in treatment and recovery. Care coordination offers the patient a single point of contact with the health and social services system. The care coordinator promotes the patient's best interests and can often assist the patient in speaking out and acting on the behalf of the patient.
Another key function of the care coordination model is to provide non-stigmatized language, attitudes and actions in every aspect of the patient's care. Here at Alium Health we recognize that helping patients address basic needs, as determined by a comprehensive SDOH assessment, is essential to treatment.
Individual and Group Counseling
Alium Health and Wellness offers both individual and group counseling settings to assist with the treatment of a substance use disorder. The substance use treatment provided at Alium Health and Wellness is conducted in an outpatient setting. Many people's substance or alcohol use is a way to self-medicate for depression, anxiety or another mental health condition. Regardless of the reason, substance use becomes less of a choice over time and develops into an addiction. Treatment of substance abuse can be conducted in either a group or individual setting.
The individual counseling sessions will use talk therapy techniques to take a look at the personal emotional dysfunction and potentially harmful motivations of substance use. The group therapy setting allows a person to share their experiences with others and develop a sense of support from others experiences. Group therapy sessions also will often provide educational information regarding substance use and addiction. Oftentimes individuals will participate in both individual and group counseling sessions to help them achieve a state of being substance-free.