Addiction MedicineStratford, CT
Addiction medicine helps patients treat, manage, and recover from their substance abuse disorder. By taking a comprehensive view of addiction as a disease, addiction medicine specialists can ensure a patient has a customized plan to guide them toward the best possible health outcome. For many patients, addiction medicine makes it possible to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Addiction medicine is available at MD Care Now in Stratford and the surrounding area. We can help you begin and maintain your journey to recovery. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Understanding Addiction Medicine
According to the American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM), addiction medicine is the medical specialty that focuses on preventing, evaluating, diagnosing, and treating anyone with an unhealthy relationship with licit and illicit drugs. It has been recognized as a “self-designated specialty” by the American Medical Association (AMA) since 1990. It has also been officially recognized as a medical subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (AMBS) since 2016.
Addiction medicine specialists are doctors with an unrestricted and currently valid license to practice medicine in a State, the District of Columbia, a Territory, Commonwealth, or possession of the United States. They must also be primary board-certified, meaning they must meet a certain standard to be considered qualified to practice addiction medicine. Addiction medicine specialists may treat patients with problematic behaviors concerning alcohol, nicotine, prescription medications, and more.
Understanding Addiction
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as a chronic but treatable biopsychosocial phenomenon. In other words, they believe that an individual’s brain circuits, environment, genetics, and life experiences may all contribute to them using substances in an unhealthy way — despite facing significant consequences. People with addiction may also engage in other compulsive behaviors.
As public awareness of addiction as a disease continues to grow, so does the understanding of the importance of prevention and harm reduction. As such, the ASAM Task Force has since retired the definitions for “medication-assisted recovery (MAR)” and “medication-assisted treatment (MAT)” in favor of more general medical terminology to legitimize popular views of addiction medicine even further.
Candidates for Addiction Medicine
Thanks to their advanced training, addiction medicine specialists understand how to conceptualize and treat the genetic and biopsychosocial manifestations of substance use disorder. As mentioned earlier, addiction medicine specialists may treat patients with various substance use disorders. These include but are not limited to alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, and tobacco use disorder.
Addiction medicine can help anyone with a substance use disorder and is interested in treating or managing their condition. This is especially true since addiction medicine specialists have a heightened understanding of the relationships between substance use disorder and social and structural determinants of health. Consequently, addiction medicine physicians can also act as patient advocates and help drive public policy to promote overall wellness.
Suboxone Treatment
Suboxone is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat opioid dependence. It is administered sublingually (underneath the tongue) or between the gums and teeth. The film contains both buprenorphine and naloxone, and it dissolves in the mouth. Studies have shown that it is an effective means of treating those with opioid dependence over a 24-week long period.
Despite some popular misconceptions, suboxone is a legitimate means of addiction recovery. Suboxone, and other medicines like it, help regulate the brain chemistry of someone struggling with opioid addiction. As such, it can be likened to insulin for a patient with diabetes. Furthermore, it is extremely difficult to overdose on Suboxone, as it is merely a partial opiate receptor agonist. Our team can help each patient determine which treatment is best for them.
Call Us Today
If you are dealing with addiction, do not delay in getting the treatment you need. We at MD Care Now can help. Call us today at 1-203-683-0625 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We also accept walk-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any risk factors for substance abuse?
According to experts, there is no single factor that can predict drug addiction. However, it is thought that about half of the risk may be derived from an individual’s biology. The other half is believed to be derived from their environment. Patients are also more likely to become addicted the earlier they start using.
Can substance abuse cause other mental illnesses?
It is hard to say. Many people with substance abuse disorders have other mental illnesses, but it is difficult to ascertain which comes first. Additionally, many of the same genes and brain regions involving addiction are also involved in other brain disorders.
How common is substance abuse disorder?
According to one study, around 2.3 million adults had both an illicit drug use disorder and alcohol use disorder within the past year (the study was published in 2017). Furthermore, four out of every five adults with a past year substance use disorder had an alcohol use disorder, while three out of ten had an illicit drug use disorder. One out of nine had both.
What is drug withdrawal, and how long does it last?
Drug withdrawal refers to both the physical and mental effects a person undergoes after reducing or stopping their substance use. These symptoms may vary in duration and intensity depending on your unique biological makeup, the type of drug you were using, and more. Drug withdrawal can sometimes be a dangerous phenomenon. An addiction medicine specialist can help ensure your safety during recovery.
How is substance abuse disorder a disease?
Substance abuse disorder is progressive, meaning it will only worsen without proper treatment, potentially leading to death. Research has also shown there to be biological predispositions towards addiction, as there are many other diseases. Additionally, substance abuse disorder always progresses in a predictable manner, no matter who it affects.
Can addiction be cured?
Individuals with addiction cannot be “cured,” but they can recover. In other words, they can stop their substance abuse by actively participating in a plan of recovery. Individuals with addiction will always be susceptible to substance abuse. However, with significant changes, they can reinforce a new lifestyle.
Check out what others are saying about our Addiction Medicine services on Yelp: Addiction Medicine Stratford
Recent Posts
What To Expect From Your First Physical Exam After Giving Birth
Have you recently given birth and are getting ready for your first physical exam? Learning the importance of your first physical exam after you have given birth is a great idea, as this important exam should not be missed. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, your first postpartum physical examination should occur…
Internal Medicine Questions - Common Signs Of Thyroid Disease
There are many reasons why you should visit with an internal medicine physician. These professionals can diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions, including thyroid disease. You may not think to ask your doctor whether you have this disease. However, there are clues that it may be attacking your body.The thyroid is a…
Women's Health Care Services From A Primary Physician
Focusing on women's health is important. Obstetricians and gynecologists are the first you tend to think of when it comes to maintaining the health and well-being of women. Most people are not aware that primary care physcians can do the same. If you want to find out what women’s health services are available from a…
An Urgent Care Doctor Explains How To Spot The Difference Between A Sprain And A Break
If you suffer injuries to your ankle, you need urgent care. However, it may be difficult to determine if it is a sprain (a torn or stretched tendon or ligament) or a break. In any scenario, here is what you should remember: A break and a fracture will limit your mobility and cause inflammation, bruising…
Women Health Exams: The Importance Of Screening Mammograms
Are you staying up-to-date on your women health exams? Read on to learn about the importance of screening mammograms. Mammograms continue to be the most effective method for identifying breast cancer in its early stages in most women, although many people miss or avoid regular women health exams visits entirely. Breast cancer is the most…