You tell yourself not to take more medication than prescribed. Or that you shouldn’t drink a beer first thing in the morning. You want to stop. But how?
When you have a substance use disorder, you might need more and more to get through the day. You may not be able to stop thinking about smoking, drinking or using. And this can interfere with your life to the point where it feels like it controls you. The good news? It’s treatable.
Cleveland Clinic makes sure you have compassionate support on your side. Even when things feel tough, our team is ready to help. We listen to you, answer your questions and guide you through the best treatment for your needs. All with the confidentiality, respect, dignity and sensitivity you deserve.
Cleveland Clinic offers a wide range of personalized treatments for substance use disorders. We recognize it’s a chronic (lifelong) health condition that can’t be helped by willpower alone. And we’re here to help you move toward recovery — one day at a time.
From recognizing what triggers your substance use to guiding you through detox and rehabilitation, our team helps you find a new, sober way of living. You may have treatment in the hospital or through programs without a hospital stay.
When you come to Cleveland Clinic for treatment, you’ll have a strong team of expert providers from different specialties on your side. We build this team based on your needs with providers from psychiatry, psychology, neurology and more. Meet our team.
From support groups to 12-step programs, we make sure you and your family get personalized care. Our team of alumni volunteer ambassadors have been through treatment and recovery themselves. And they’re here to walk with you through your journey when you feel you need a shoulder to lean on.
When you want to check in with your care team, you don’t even have to leave home to do it. Our virtual visits let you quickly schedule an online appointment with your provider. You’ll get the same great care as you would at an office visit.
Cleveland Clinic is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for our expertise and care.
Common substance use disorders we treat are nicotine/tobacco, alcohol and marijuana. But we treat many others like:
These different substances have one thing in common — the way they affect your brain. When you use any of these, they trigger your brain’s “reward center” and a “feel-good” hormone called dopamine. Sometimes way too much. And your brain chemistry can change when you keep using these things. This creates both physical and psychological dependence.
Having a substance use disorder isn’t a sign of weakness or lack of willpower. It’s a chronic health condition. And you may feel like it’s impossible to quit on your own. That’s why there’s substance use disorder evaluation and treatment.
Your story is important to us. So, when you come for your first visit, you’ll spend time talking with your provider about what’s been going on. They’ll want to know:
Your provider may do a physical exam and order blood tests and a urinalysis. Our team uses the information from this visit to decide how severe your substance use disorder is. And to build a treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Your care team knows treatment is a big step. And that it might feel hard to want to keep doing it at times. We work together to make sure you get expert care combined with compassionate support so you can keep moving forward. Your care team may have providers from different specialties, like:
We offer treatment for substance use disorder at the following locations in Ohio.
Substance use disorder treatment is highly personalized. It depends on what substance or substances you’re using. We also look at how severe the disorder is and your overall health. You may need different types of treatments at different times, including ongoing care and counseling. You may have treatment at a medical office and go home after your appointment. Or we may have you stay in the hospital for a bit.
When you start treatment, we’ll help you understand that substance use disorders are chronic conditions. We’ll talk about how to recognize the triggers that make you want to use your substance of choice. And we’ll talk about consequences and even potentially life-threatening situations that can happen if you have a substance use disorder.
During your treatment program, you may have:
Detoxification is usually the first step of any substance use disorder treatment. Depending on your condition, you may go through withdrawal (detoxification) in the hospital or at home under care of a provider. If done in the hospital, you’d be admitted to a floor that has experienced clinicians in addiction psychiatry who’d monitor you both physically and emotionally. You’ll also have access to medical consultants to make sure we look at the full picture of health. We keep a close eye on you as you stop taking the substance(s). We frequently use medication to help with withdrawal effects and to make the process of coming off substances as comfortable as possible.
Emotions and behavior play a big role in substance use disorders. You may have started using substances because of anxiety, stress or depression. And maybe you kept using them because they made you feel good. We often build counseling and therapy into treatment plans, like two kinds of psychotherapy (talk therapy):
We may also recommend that you get involved in group therapy or a 12-step program during and after treatment.
Some medications can help change your brain chemistry and treat certain substance use disorders. They can also help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Your providers will go over what, if any, of these might be right for you, and if you can take them during your hospital stay and/or continue to take them at home.
IOPs can provide an intermediate level of care between the regular outpatient care and inpatient care. They may include additional psychiatry specialists and counselors, who provide a comprehensive approach to substance use disorder treatment. Typically, once a patient is detoxed, they may want to enroll in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) which is run over four to five weeks, three hours a day, four days a week. The patient can participate in the IOP program either in person or virtually.
Substance use disorders can also affect families. Your spouse, children, significant other and extended family members may benefit from programs that help them understand the nature of these disorders and how the family dynamic plays a role in recovery. This includes counseling, support groups and 12-step programs like Al-Anon and Ala-Teen.
Recovery doesn’t end when treatment stops. It’s a road you’ll always travel going forward. You’ll have ups and downs along the way. We make sure you have the tools and support network to help you navigate the twists and turns. You may also benefit from residential programs or sober housing, options our experienced teams will advise you about. Even on days when you feel alone, know that you aren’t. You can talk with family and friends, make a counseling appointment, visit a support group or go to a 12-step meeting.
Substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life. And when you have one, it can be hard to admit it. Or stop it on your own. Cleveland Clinic is here for you. We have the programs in place to treat this chronic medical condition. From regular counseling or more intensive treatment, we want to help you get back to living your best life.
We’re here to help you get care with Cleveland Clinic’s substance use disorder experts.
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