Recovery & Supports
ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE
Addiction can affect anyone. Stigma creates significant challenges for those facing substance use and behavioral health challenges. Together, we can create a supportive environment for health and wellbeing.
Turn the page on stigma
Addiction Can Affect Anyone
Stigma related to addiction can be one of the greatest barriers to recovery. Addiction can affect anyone, anywhere. The first step in addressing the issues of addiction is to view it like other chronic diseases, without placing fault or blame.
We're here for you
Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs)
Clubhouse CRPA Supports
(518) 491-2432
CRPA's with our Clubhouse program have shared lived experience with substance use recovery and can be a helpful support system.
Learn the facts
ABOUT SUBSTANCE USE
People use substances, such as controlled substances, illegal drugs, cannabis, tobacco/nicotine, and alcohol for different reasons — whether for medical purposes, religious or ceremonial purposes, personal enjoyment, or to cope with stress, trauma, or pain.
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Substance use is different for everyone and can be viewed on a spectrum, ranging from non-use to substance use disorder.
Non-Use
A person who does not use any substances, including any medically prescribed controlled substances such as opioids, alcohol (including socially), and tobacco.​​
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Beneficial Use
A person who utilizes substances for beneficial use, such as taking medications as prescribed, or the religious or ceremonial use of tobacco (such as smudging).​​
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Lower-Risk Use
A person who may use substances recreationally or socially in a manner that has minimal impact to the person, their family, friends, and others. This can include low-risk alcohol drinking or recreational cannabis use within lower-risk cannabis use guidelines​​.
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Higher-Risk Use
A person who uses substances in a manner that is harmful and has a negative impact to the person, their family, friends, and others. This includes the use of illegal drugs, impaired driving, binge drinking, combining multiple substances, or increasing frequency and/or quantity.​​
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Addiction — Substance Use Disorder
A person with a substance use disorder has a diagnosable and treatable medical condition that affects their brain. This involves compulsive and continuous use despite the negative impacts it has to themself, their family, friends, and others. Without intervention, the person cannot stop using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco even if they want to.​​
A treatable medical condition
About Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
What is an SUD
A substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable, chronic disease characterized by a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues using the substance despite significant substance-related problems.
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SUDs can lead to significant problems in all aspects of a person's life. Patters of symptoms resulting from substance use (drugs or alcohol) can help a doctor diagnose a person with a SUD or SUDs and connect them to the appropriate treatment.
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For certain drug types, some symptoms are less prominent, and in some cases, not all symptoms apply. For example, withdrawal symptoms are not specified for inhalant use.
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What Substances Can Be Applied to SUD
SUDs can range in severity from mild to severe and can affect people of any race, sex, income level, or social class. An SUD can be applied to the following types of drugs:
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Alcohol
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Cannabis
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Hallucinogens
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Inhalants
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Opioids
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Sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics
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Stimulants and Psychostimulants
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Tobacco (nicotine)
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Other (unknown) substance
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What's the Difference Between Regular Use & SUD
For many individuals, consuming low or infrequent doses of substances is not uncommon. Sometimes, individuals use substances experimentally or casually. If this is the case, serious negative effects should not occur.
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If using substances starts to have a negative effect on life, it's a sign of possible substance use disorder. There are many symptoms and warning signs of substance abuse and dependence including:
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Continuously using drugs or alcohol even while experiencing negative side effects
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Finding out that you are using more and more drugs or alcohol to get the same "good feeling"
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Trying to stop by finding it very difficult
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Emotionally feeling like you need to use drugs or drink to feel normal
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Physically feeling like you need to use drugs or drink to feel normal
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Finding that you're spending more and more time trying to find ways to get drugs or alcohol
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Feeling sick (withdrawal symptoms) including trembling, hallucinations, sweating and high blood pressure when you stop using drugs or drinking
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When doing drugs or drinking interferes with work, school, and relationships
Substance use disorder
Treatment and Recovery Options
Addiction is a disease, not a character flaw. People experiencing SUDs have trouble controlling their drug use even though they know drugs are harmful.
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Overcoming an SUD is not as simple as resisting the temptation to take drugs. Recovery may involve medication to help with cravings and withdrawal as well as different forms of therapy. It may even require checking into a rehabilitation facility.
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Addiction is a Treatable Disease
Like many other chronic conditions, treatment is available for substance use disorders. While no single treatment method is right for everyone, recovery is possible, and help is available for patients with SUDs.
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Evidence-based guidelines can assist doctors with choosing the right treatment options. These guidelines help evaluate a patient's clinical needs and situation to match them with the right level of care, in the most appropriate available setting.
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Recovery is Possible
Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all process. It may include clinical treatment, peer support, harm reduction strategies, medication-assisted treatment, therapy, housing support, or employment assistance.
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Peer support services are an important part of the treatment and recovery process. Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) draw from personal experience with substance use and professional training to provide non-clinical support services.
MHACG Clubhouses CRPA Supports
(518) 491-2432
Certified Recovery Peer Advocates (CRPAs) with our Clubhouse program can be an important resource to help those in treatment/recovery in the development of recovery plans, effective coping habits, and life skills for navigating recovery.
