Psychiatric Care · Substance Use Disorder · Alcohol Use · Cannabis Use
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment
Substance Use Disorder is more than a lack of willpower or a series of bad choices. It is a treatable medical condition that can affect the brain, behavior, relationships, work, health, and daily functioning. PNS provides psychiatric care for substance use concerns, including evaluation, medication management when appropriate, psychotherapy, and support for co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, bipolar disorder, or sleep disruption.
What is
SUD?
Substance Use Disorder, or SUD, is a medical condition involving the repeated use of alcohol, prescription medications, or other substances despite negative consequences. SUD exists on a spectrum and can range from mild to severe—affecting decision-making, emotional regulation, physical health, relationships, work, school, and overall stability.
Signs & Symptoms
Recognizing SUD
Substance use concerns can look different from person to person. Some patients are worried about increasing use over time. Others may be experiencing consequences at work, in relationships, or with their physical and mental health.
Wanting to reduce or stop substance use but finding it difficult to do so consistently.
Needing more of a substance over time to feel the same effect.
Experiencing strong urges to use alcohol, medications, or other substances, especially during stress or emotional distress.
Continuing to use even when it affects relationships, work, school, finances, health, or responsibilities.
Experiencing physical or emotional symptoms when reducing or stopping use.
Using more than intended, using for longer than planned, or feeling unable to stop once use begins.
Missing work, school, appointments, family responsibilities, or important obligations because of substance use.
Substance use may occur alongside depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, bipolar disorder, insomnia, or other psychiatric symptoms.
Types of substance use concerns
Substance Use Disorder is not one single experience. A psychiatric evaluation can help identify the pattern of substance use, the role it plays in a patient’s life, and whether other mental health conditions are contributing.
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Alcohol: Alcohol use may become difficult to control, increase over time, or begin affecting health, relationships, work, sleep, mood, or daily responsibilities. -
Controlled Substances: Some patients experience difficulty managing use of prescription medications, including sedatives, stimulants, pain medications, or other controlled substances. Treatment focuses on safety, stability, and appropriate psychiatric care.
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Substance Use with Trauma: Trauma-related symptoms and substance use can reinforce one another. Treatment may need to address safety, coping strategies, sleep, anxiety, avoidance, and emotional regulation.
When to seek help
If alcohol, medication, or other substance use is affecting your relationships, work, health, finances, sleep, mood, safety, or ability to function, it may be time to seek professional support.
You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe or life feels unmanageable. Substance use concerns are treatable, and early support can help prevent symptoms from worsening.
For patients already in recovery or receiving support elsewhere, PNS can help address co-occurring psychiatric symptoms and coordinate care when appropriate.
Let’s connect
Book an appointment at any PNS location. Our scheduling team will get in touch, usually within one business day.
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How PNS Treats It
SUD treatment at PNS
PNS focuses on the psychiatric dimensions of substance use disorder, including evaluation, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and integration with co-occurring mental health conditions.
For patients who need detoxification or residential treatment before outpatient psychiatric care, PNS can help coordinate referrals to appropriate facilities.
Psychotherapy
Therapy can help patients better understand patterns of substance use, identify triggers, strengthen coping strategies, reduce relapse risk, and build healthier ways to manage stress, emotions, relationships, and daily routines.
Medication Management
Medication may be used to support co-occurring symptoms such as anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, ADHD, or mood instability. In some cases, medication may also be part of substance use treatment planning, depending on the substance, symptoms, and provider recommendation.
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