Addiction

Addiction is a complex condition with far-reaching effects. Despite the high rate of substance use disorders, only a fraction (about 10.4%) of those needing treatment for substance use received it.

Addiction can significantly impact your life, affecting your mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. 

At Telapsychiatry, our deep insight into these forms of addiction lets us customize our treatment to your specific requirements. 

Our mental health experts are dedicated to assisting you throughout your treatment process. Our goal is to alleviate the impact of addiction, helping you regain command over your life.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is when you can't control or stop drinking alcohol, even though it's causing problems in your life. It's not about how much you drink but how it's affecting you.

If you're drinking more than you meant to, or if it's causing trouble in your life, you might have AUD. It's important to know that there is help and that you can get better is important.

Treating AUD usually involves different kinds of therapy, support groups, and sometimes medicines. Therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous help overcome AUD.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is when you can't stop using opioids like painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl, even though they're causing problems in your life. 

You might crave using opioids, find it hard to control how much you use, and keep using them even though they're affecting your life and relationships. 

Treatment for OUD usually includes both medicine and therapy, along with support groups. This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and also deals with the psychological elements of the addiction.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is when you use cannabis too much or more often than you want to, and it starts causing problems or making you feel stressed. 

If you're trying to use less but can't, you might have CUD. Getting professional help is essential to addressing the symptoms and regaining control of your life. 

Treatment usually involves different kinds of therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, to help you understand why you use cannabis and learn ways to cope without it. This can help you change your cannabis use and work towards positive changes in your life.

Cocaine use disorder is the harmful and compulsive usage of cocaine, a potent stimulant.

If a considerable amount of your time is consumed in acquiring, using, or recuperating from the effects of cocaine, and this is negatively impacting your life, you are likely facing cocaine use disorder. It's important to know that effective treatments are available to help your recovery.

Treatment for cocaine use disorder includes various behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and the matrix model. These methods are aimed at helping you identify and modify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors associated with cocaine use.

Treatment for amphetamine use disorder is similar, focusing on coping strategies, recognizing triggers, and building a support system for recovery.

Amphetamine Use disorder is identified by a consistent use of amphetamine-type substances that results in distress or functional impairment.

If you're dealing with strong urges for amphetamines, or if your amphetamine usage is hurting your performance at work, school, or home, you may be struggling with amphetamine use disorder. Remember, there is hope, as effective treatment options are available.

Treatment for amphetamine use disorder also involves behavioral therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the matrix model, and contingency management. 

These therapeutic approaches are designed to assist you in developing coping mechanisms, identifying and managing triggers, and establishing a network of support for your recovery journey.

Hallucinogen use disorder is defined as a chronic consumption of hallucinogens that leads to considerable impairment or psychological distress.

If you find yourself consuming hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin more frequently or in larger quantities than planned, or if attempts to reduce or stop use have been unsuccessful, you are likely experiencing hallucinogen use disorder. Seeking professional assistance can be a significant step towards your recovery.

The standard treatment for hallucinogen use disorder often includes psychotherapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy, aimed at addressing the psychological factors associated with hallucinogen usage. Support groups and family therapy can also be crucial in the treatment process.

Inhalant use disorder is characterized by a chronic use of inhalants that leads to functional impairment or emotional distress.

If you find yourself using inhalants, such as glue or aerosol sprays, past your initial intent, or if these substances are causing disruptions in certain aspects of your life, you may be dealing with an inhalant use disorder. It's important to remember that seeking assistance and beginning your recovery journey is always possible.

The treatment for inhalant use disorder typically involves a mix of behavioral therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy, alongside participation in support groups. These methods help you identify triggers, establish effective coping mechanisms, and foster a recovery support network.

This condition is characterized by the repeated use of sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics, leading to significant functional impairment.

If your consumption of these substances is causing health problems, or if it's negatively impacting your professional and personal relationships, you may be experiencing a sedative, hypnotic, or anxiolytic use disorder. Fortunately, effective treatment options exist that can assist you in regaining control over your life.

The typical approach to treating this disorder includes carefully reducing the medication dosage under professional medical guidance, along with engaging in behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy.

These therapeutic methods are designed to help you tackle the psychological elements of your addiction and to create more effective coping mechanisms.

Tobacco use disorder, also known as nicotine dependence, is characterized by a problematic pattern of tobacco use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress. 

If you're using tobacco more than you want to, or if you've tried to quit but couldn't, or if tobacco use is causing problems in your life, you may be dealing with a tobacco use disorder. There's no better time than now to seek help and begin your journey toward a tobacco-free life.

Treatment for tobacco use disorder may include a combination of medication-assisted treatment, such as nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications like varenicline or bupropion. 

Behavioral therapies and support groups, such as the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking program, may also help.

Gambling addiction, also known as pathological gambling or compulsive gambling, is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the negative impact it may have on your life. 

This disorder can lead to significant personal, professional, and financial problems. It often occurs with other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

If you find yourself continually chasing losses, lying about your gambling activities, borrowing money to gamble, or if gambling is causing strain in your relationships and work life, it may be time to seek help.

Treatment for gambling addiction often involves behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps in identifying and changing harmful gambling behaviors and thoughts. 

Additionally, motivational interviewing and self-help groups such as Gamblers Anonymous can be crucial in supporting recovery. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to treat co-occurring disorders.

Sex addiction, often referred to as compulsive sexual behavior or hypersexuality, is characterized by persistent and escalating patterns of sexual behavior acted out despite increasing negative consequences to one's health, mental state, relationships, and daily life.

Sex addiction may show itself through many different behaviors, including compulsive masturbation, multiple sexual partners, use of pornography, cybersex, and other risky sexual behaviors. 

It often stems from an attempt to manage personal distress, cope with emotional pain, or fill a void of intimacy. This addiction, like others, can co-occur with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or substance use disorders.

Treatment for sex addiction at Telapsychiatry involves a combination of therapeutic approaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to address the underlying thoughts and behaviors driving the addiction. 

Psychodynamic therapy can also effectively explore the emotional and psychological roots of the behavior. Group therapy and support groups, such as Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA), provide a supportive environment to share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.

Shopping addiction, also known as compulsive buying disorder or oniomania, is an overwhelming urge to shop and overspend money, often resulting in financial distress, personal and professional relationship strain, and negative impacts on mental health.

Individuals with shopping addiction tend to experience an emotional high or rush from shopping, followed by feelings of guilt or remorse. This cycle often leads to secretive behavior, accumulating debt, and buying unnecessary or unused items. 

It's important to note that shopping addiction is not merely a habit of occasional overspending but a persistent behavior that can be as destructive as any substance-related addiction.

Treatment for shopping addiction at Telapsychiatry includes various therapeutic approaches. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in helping individuals recognize and change problematic shopping behaviors and thought patterns. 

Additionally, therapy sessions may explore underlying emotional triggers, such as depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem, that contribute to compulsive shopping. 

Support groups, similar to those for other addictive behaviors, can provide a community of individuals who understand the challenges of this addiction and offer mutual support.

Video game addiction, also known as gaming disorder, starts through an inability to control the amount of time spent on gaming, prioritizing gaming over other activities and interests, and continuing to game despite the occurrence of negative consequences. 

It's important to distinguish between enthusiastic gaming and a pathological addiction, addiction being gaming that is persistent and often escalates despite the presence of negative repercussions.

Common signs of video game addiction include spending excessive amounts of time playing games, neglecting responsibilities and relationships, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not playing, and loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can effectively address the thought patterns and behaviors associated with excessive gaming. 

Family therapy may also be recommended, as it can help address any underlying family dynamics that may influence the addiction. Additionally, developing healthy coping mechanisms and finding alternative activities to gaming are crucial steps in treatment.

We understand that the path to recovery is a personal and unique experience for each individual. Our team of skilled mental health experts is prepared to offer treatment solutions backed by scientific evidence and customized to meet your unique requirements.

Should you or someone close to you be facing challenges with addiction, we invite you to connect with us for support.

As the mental health landscape evolves, our commitment to delivering the highest quality of care remains the same.

We're here to support you through your journey toward improved mental well-being. Call us at 888-903-5505 or schedule an appointment online.

At Telapsychiatry, our commitment is to offer you thorough individualized care that meets your needs.