Treatment for substance use and local resources.
This blog post is intended to be a starting point for individuals who want to learn more about resources for when they are interested in seeing a change in their use of drugs. It is a two-piece series where we break down what harm reduction is and discuss different treatment options to make sure our community is informed that there is support for everyone at every step.
What does treatment look like (what is treatment)?
Treatment can be an extremely valuable and beneficial experience for someone who is looking to start their recovery journey, especially when they are met with individualized care that is going to meet their specific needs. Gaining access to an entire realm of trained professionals for guidance and potentially finding a sense of community amongst others who are working towards common goals.
Options for recovery treatment include:
Inpatient Settings- a monitored setting where an individual stays for a specified amount of time and has access to support professionals to aid in the progression of recovery, this can include a variety of options dependent on where an individual is with their drug use to accurately meet their level of need.
Outpatient Settings- can take many forms where an individual does not stay at the location they are receiving treatment from, this can include therapeutic interventions, support groups, accessing medications and is generally seen as a more flexible option.
Medication Assisted Treatment- the use of medications to treat substance use disorders, these medications are said to help with the intense cravings people who use drugs experience, examples include buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone and are prescribed by medical professionals.
Therapy and Support Groups- both are expansive in what is offered, therapy can allow an individual to talk to a trained professional to address substance use, addiction, and any additional underlying mental health concerns, this can include one on one, groups, and family sessions, where support groups bring together individuals who have been impacted by drug use and through one another’s support find community and strength.
It is important to note that the above options may be used together, at different points of treatment, and individuals may need to access some or all of these services on their journey to recovery. Drug use and addiction begin and form differently for everyone, and prolonged drug use is going to impact people differently as well. It’s also important to understand that it may take multiple attempts at accessing treatment options before someone feels able to completely refrain from use. Returning to drug use can be a very normal process on the road to recovery and it does not mean that an individual is failing. When people are supported through their journey, including if they return to use, that support becomes fundamental to encouraging a person to engage in treatment once again.
How can I access Treatment?
Accessing treatment for drug use can be intimidating. There are many options to consider and no one size fits all approach. Barriers to accessing treatment also make it a challenge to navigate without assistance, including cost, insurance, accessibility and managing conflicting responsibilities to name a few.
CELJ’s Substance Use Awareness and Advocacy for Older Adults program is here as a resource for adults ages 50 and older to assist with civil legal needs, as well as support in navigating systems. If you find yourself asking the question, how can I access treatment options that will work best for me, please consider the resources listed below.
24 Hour Addiction Hotline 716-831-7007- provides immediate help, education, information, referrals, and assistance with linkage to treatment services.
211WNY dial 211- free and confidential link to health and human services.
Never Use Alone 877-696-1996- national overdose prevention lifeline to call when using drugs to aid in the prevention of deathly overdoses, access their website for information on 12- step and 12- step alternative support programs.
NAMI Buffalo and Western New York- going to their website provides you with an expansive list of local treatment resources including, outpatient, inpatient/detox, residential rehab, co-occurring mental health and substance use and support groups.
https://neverusealone.com/12-step-alternatives/