A Combination Approach to Addiction Treatment
Can Help You Achieve Sobriety

Defining Substance Use Disorder

The American Psychiatric Association defines addiction, or substance use disorder, as a complex brain disease that is characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences¹. Substance use disorder is a progressive disease that can lead to severe effects or even an early death². Addiction is commonly associated with: 

• Alcohol 
• Nicotine
• Cocaine
• Opioids, including heroin or oxycodone
• Methamphetamine
• Marijuana
• Hallucinogens such as PCP or LSD 
• Inhalants 
• Anxiolytics, such as Xanax® 

Addiction to one or more of these substances can have long-lasting and widespread effects. 

How Can Substance Abuse Affect You?

Substance use disorder can cause physical changes in the brain that can affect patients' thinking, behavior, and bodily functions¹. When a patient uses one of these substances, it supplies an abnormal amount of dopamine to the brain. With continued use, the brain will begin to naturally produce less dopamine or the number of receptors which receive these signals will decrease, which dulls the ability to feel pleasure. The patient is then drawn to continue using the drug at increasingly higher doses, which produces enough dopamine so that they can feel pleasure and happiness³. 

While it may be a choice for people to begin abusing drugs or alcohol, these aspects of substance use disorder make it difficult for certain individuals to stop using. Over time, these cognitive and behavioral changes can have a significant negative impact on nearly every aspect of a patient's life, from difficulty at work or school to an inability to maintain meaningful relationships.  

Signs of Addiction

In addition to an inability to abstain from use despite negative consequences, addiction often causes sufferers to display characteristics⁴ such as: 

• Denial 
• Lying and deceptive actions
• Cravings
• Changes in normal behaviors 
• Inability to relate to others 
• Engaging in high-risk behaviors
• Anxiety
• Increased sensitivity to stressors
• Mood swings 

If you notice these changes in a loved one, they may be struggling with addiction.

Why Is It Important to Seek Treatment?

According to the World Drug Report 2015 prepared by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, approximately 187,100 people suffered drug-related deaths in 2013⁵. In the United States alone, nearly 88,000 individuals die from alcohol-related causes each year⁶. Help prevent yourself or a loved one from this same fate by seeking professional treatment. 

Personalized Addiction Treatment 

Dr. Bober typically recommends patients take medication and undergo therapy, as combining the two has been proven to be more effective for most patients⁷. Additionally, this dual approach may allow you to more effectively improve the aspects of your life that have been affected by your addiction.

Dr. Bober is a board-certified psychiatrist who can help you achieve sobriety by working with your therapist for effective treatment and support. 

Together, Dr. Bober and your psychologist can help you overcome your addiction. Using the right medication can help you gain control over cravings while therapy can delve deeper into emotional and behavioral aspects of your treatment⁷. Medication can also provide relief from unpleasant side effects of withdrawal which often include weakness, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and irritability. Your doctors can collaborate to develop a treatment strategy that works best for your individual needs and helps you achieve long-term success. 

Guiding Patients to Sobriety

Alleviate the grip that your substance use disorder has on your life by calling us today at (954) 967-6776. Dr. Bober is a board-certified psychiatrist who has the tools you need to take control and begin your recovery.