Alcohol, Xanax, Klonopin, many anxiety meds, and even low doses of Marijuana are found in this category. These drugs commonly provide a reduction in stress levels, although some people do react conversely and become agitated. Furthermore, Depressants interfere with one’s decision making, memory, and judgment, while having a high potential for abuse or dependence. Many of these drugs provide relief from tension; however, combining two or more CNS depressants can reduce respiratory rates to unsafe levels. Accordingly, if you consume Alcohol and expect to begin a new medication, inform you prescriber and refer to the warning label for possible contraindications.

Once ingested, stimulants cause feelings of wakefulness, locomotion, and a reduced need for sleep; all while increasing one’s heart-rate. At higher doses, this class of drugs may lead to increased anxiety, heart failure, and even psychotic episodes including hallucinations and paranoia. Common stimulants include Cocaine, Caffeine, Energy Drinks, Adderall, and other “study drugs”. Regarding medical use, always check with your prescriber if unwanted side-effects develop, and keep your prescriptions safe. Click here to learn more about safe storage of medications.

Opioids are commonly viewed as a type of pain killer. These strong drugs are prescribed as Percocet, Vicodin, Oxycontin, and Codeine to name a few. Opioids also include Heroin, Fentanyl, and Carfentanil. These substances bind to Opioid receptors in our head and stomach, which change the perception of pain and mood. Opioids put strain on an individual’s breathing, and should therefore be viewed as a CNS depressant, even when some users feels energetic when using. Opioids are well tolerated by the body from a long-term perspective, but often require larger doses over time to achieve the same effect. This physical change (tolerance) causes mental urges, or cravings, and can lead to dependence. Opioid Dependence is a mental health disorder, as well as a medical diagnosis, due to the immense changes that are beyond an individual’s control. Upon cessation, a person with an Opioid Dependence will have unpleasant experiences of anxiety, flu-like symptoms, and exaggerated sensations of emotional and physical pain. Current research supports the use of medication assisted therapy, counseling, and related supports to overcome challenges with all Opioids.

Hallucinogens are a special class of drugs because their effects may be unpredictable. Mood, physiology, environment, and even one’s beliefs can greatly influence the experience. Hallucinogens have a long history of ceremonial use across the globe and within spiritual and mental health practices, some of which still occur today. Drugs in this category include LSD, MDMA (“Molly”), DMT, Ketamine, PCP, DXM, and Cannabis at high doses. Please note, that a “pure” or natural hallucinogen does not make is safer. Once ingested, these chemicals disrupt the normal electro-chemical processes within the body. This causes significant changes in perception of self, time, and space. These changes may last between 2-24 hours (and even longer in some cases), and must run their course before the experience ends.

Cannabis is a complex variety of the hemp plant Cannabis Sativa. The consumption of cannabis produces varying changes in one’s biopsychosocial and spiritual experience due the chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, also called THC. THC binds to naturally occurring receptors in our body called cannabinoid receptors. Once activated, this drug can act like a stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen depending on the type and strength of the plant. Specific short-term effects of cannabis include changes in thinking, attitude, and attention, which are effected by individual predispositions. Long-term effects include higher incidence of mental health conditions and possible dependence. Until 2013, Cannabis Dependence did not include a physical component; however, current research now indicates the prolonged consumption of cannabis will cause physical withdrawal in addition to mental obsessions and a drop in IQ. Furthermore, researchers have found that even casual cannabis smokers are displaying abnormalities in areas of the brain related to emotion, motivation, and decision-making. This may be directly related to the strength of today’s cannabis. Recently, legal variants of THC have become available. Labeled as Delta-8, Delta-10, or THC-0, these THC analogues are not well studied or controlled for potency or consistency. Accordingly, it's important to remember . . . Just because something is legal, doesn't mean it's safe or better than an illegal or controlled substance.

These options are for individuals who may be at risk of developing a substance-related problem. Specific early intervention services could include psycho-educational individual or group engagement, short-term brief interventions, and some forms of counseling.

Outpatient services are capable of assisting persons with mild drug and alcohol problems or even a formal Substance Use Disorders. Behavioral health professionals will usually incorporate a biopsychosocial assessment and determine the approach number of outpatient sessions (per week or per month) to promote overall health and wellness.

This is a unique consideration when it comes to treatment options. Typically, this level of care is for individuals who have developed a physical dependence to a substance for which an outpatient treatment medication is available. For example, outpatient buprenorphine treatment is available for opioid dependence. This level of care should only be considered following a thorough evaluation from a medical professional.

Like the regular outpatient services, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization stem from a thorough assessment of an individual's substance use, mental health, treatment readiness, biomedical status, and environmental strengths and challenges. At these level of care however, it is likely to include additional hours per week while having additional capabilities to treat more serious challenges included psychiatric crises.

At this level of care, patients will generally sleep on-site for additional care and rehabilitation. These services can vary greatly in the number of hours dedicated to counseling or psychiatric stabilization; however, they regularly staff addiction specialists and include the capabilities to treat more serious co-occurring conditions.

This is considered an important level of care for anyone struggling with a serious biomedical or emotional behavioral impairment. This level of care will regularly include 24hour nursing care to offer stabilization and assure safety.