Options In Psychology LLC provides both self-referred and court-ordered evaluations and treatment for substance abuse and other addictive or compulsive behaviors.

Substance abuse refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of alcohol or other chemicals leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical health or mental health or the well-being of others. The disorder is characterized by a pattern of continued pathological use of alcohol, prescription or non-prescription medciation or other toxic substance that results in repeated adverse social consequences related to substance abuse, such as failure to meet work, family, or school obligations,or continued placing in high risk dangerous situations, or interpersonal conflicts, or legal problems.

Substance Dependency: Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Repeated substance abuse can lead to tolerance leading to the need for increasing amounts of alcohol or other chemical to get the same effect.  Physiological dependence on alcohol or other substance can lead to the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

What is a Substance Abuse Evaluation? An evaluation for substance abuse or dependency involves a strucutured clinical intervention, formal assessment tools, and collateral interviews in making a formal diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Dual Diagnosis: A dual diagnosis occurs when an individual is affected by both substance abuse or dependency and an emotional or psychiatric illness. Both illnesses may affect an individual physically, psychologically, socially, and spiritually. Each illness has symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to function effectively and relate to themselves and others. Not only is the individual affected by two separate illnesses, both illnesses interact with one another. The illnesses may exacerbate each other and each disorder predisposes to relapse in the other disease. At times the symptoms can overlap and even mask each other making diagnosis and treatment more difficult.

Treatment Philosophy: Options values and endorses the 12-STEP program because it encourages accountability for dependency and behavior. Within that framework a person learns to take personal responsibility for the “wreckage” or the consequences of their substance abuse or addiction on their lives, including their families, their jobs, and their general social relationships. In addition to stopping use of the addictive substance, treatment is organized around changing a broad range of maladaptive behaviors in terms of a person’s physical, social and spiritual self. The whole family is encouraged to participate in treatment.

More on Substance Abuse

Helpful Links:
Dual Diagnosis
National Institute on Drug Abuse
List of Street Names of Drugs