How Do I Know if I Need Treatment?

Those battling an addiction to alcohol and/or to drugs may feel discouraged, defeated, and lost. But it doesn’t always have to remain that way. Help is within reach. A licensed medical professional can diagnose an individual with a substance use disorder or an alcohol use disorder. However, there are signs that a person may be struggling with either addiction, which may prompt them to seek a physician’s advice or to even seek out treatment on their own.

At River Oaks Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers’ facility, licensed and compassionate physicians provide exceptional care in a supportive environment. From recreational activities such as basketball, outdoor tennis, and arts and crafts to holistic therapies such as music therapy or expressive art, River Oaks is an atmosphere of healing and engagement.

Located in the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida, River Oaks is welcoming to all who are ready to walk down their own path towards recovery. And if the sunshine isn’t a big enough draw, perhaps the nutritious, dietician-approved, chef-prepared meals will be.

But… all amenities aside, how do you know if you need treatment or not?

Consulting with a licensed physician, therapist, or psychologist is a great starting place. Self-diagnosing and creating your own remedies for symptoms can be dangerous, and in some circumstances, even lethal.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders includes:

• A desire to quit/stop use, but not being able to.
• Using more of the substance or using it for an extended period of time.
• Unable to manage commitments.
• Foregoing significant activities due to substance use.
• Continued use of the substance despite negative impact on relationships.
• Continued use of the substance despite that it puts themselves in danger.
• Withdrawal symptoms.
• An increase in tolerance.
• Craving.
• Continued use of the substance despite psychological and physical problems that are made worse due to use.
• Using a lot of time getting, using, and recovering from a substance.

Having any one of these above symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that an individual has a substance or alcohol addiction. These symptoms are a starting point. However, the following criteria further breaks down the levels of a disorder and whether an individual has a disorder at all:

• 6 or more symptoms = severe disorder.
• 4-5 symptoms = moderate disorder.
• 2-3 symptoms = mild disorder.
• Less than 2 symptoms = no disorder.

Please remember to consult a licensed physician, therapist, or psychologist. Do not self-diagnose.

If you’re in need of treatment for either an alcohol use disorder or a substance use disorder, help is available. You don’t have to struggle or suffer in silence. Talk to professionals to get advice that you can use to make a solid decision about your treatment needs. River Oaks Treatment Center offers specialized programs, inpatient treatment, treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and treatment for a variety of substance use disorders from meth, cocaine, to prescription drugs and every substance in between.  River Oaks is the solution to what you’re looking for in a facility.