Substance Abuse Specialist

Cracked Open Therapy -  - Mental Health Practice

Cracked Open Therapy

Mental Health Practice & Addiction Counseling located in Downtown, Noblesville, IN

If you have a difficult time giving up smoking, excessive alcohol, or drug use, the expert mental health specialists at Inlow Counseling in Noblesville, Indiana, are here for you. They offer various substance abuse treatments that help you break an addiction and achieve the best quality of life. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book online today.

Substance Abuse Q & A

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse occurs when you lose control over using specific substances, such as nicotine, alcohol, illicit drugs, or pain-relieving medications (opioids). If you have an addiction and can’t break the habit on your own, turn to the Inlow Counseling team for help. 

What are the symptoms of substance abuse disorder?

Common symptoms you could experience if you have substance abuse disorder include:

  • Not being able to stop using a substance
  • Needing more and more of a substance
  • Making poor life choices or impulsive decisions
  • Feeling “high” after using a substance
  • Experiencing other mind-altering effects
  • Poor job or school performance
  • Interpersonal relationship struggles 
  • Withdrawal effects when you stop using a substance

Common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, shaking, excessive sweating, and seizures.

What are the risk factors for substance abuse?

While anyone can develop substance abuse disorder, some things increase your risk of experiencing it. Examples include:

  • Death in your family
  • Divorce
  • Job loss
  • Physical or sexual abuse
  • Traumatic life events
  • Ongoing stress
  • Certain personality traits
  • Family history of substance abuse
  • Peer pressure
  • Mental health disorders
  • Early exposure to drugs or alcohol
  • Poor social support network

At the first sign of a problem, see the experts at Inlow Counseling for an evaluation. 

How does my provider diagnose substance abuse disorder?

To find out if you have a problem with substance abuse, your Inlow Counseling specialist asks questions about your lifestyle habits, symptoms, medical history, and past diagnoses. They complete a comprehensive psychiatric assessment to determine which mental health condition if any, you might have. Your specialist then develops a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

What are common treatments for substance abuse disorder?

If you struggle to break an unhealthy addiction, the Inlow Counseling team could recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Lifestyle changes

Altering lifestyle habits can help you break addictive habits. Eat healthy foods, establish a regular routine, get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, keep stress levels low, and avoid people or situations that trigger urges to use addictive substances.

Medications

Taking certain medicines can reduce the desire to misuse substances or diminish withdrawal symptoms. Medications also help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles that contribute to the urge for substance misuse.

Counseling

Inlow Counseling mental health experts offer different types of counseling that teach you ways to cope with an addiction and break unhealthy habits.

Support groups

Attending support groups with other people who struggle with substance abuse disorder increases your chance of breaking an addiction and maintaining sobriety. 

If you or a loved one experiences substance abuse, call the Inlow Counseling office or book an appointment online today.