As humans, many of us like a neat end to the story: A person facing a challenge overcomes adversity and emerges on the other side. Real life, however, rarely follows such a straightforward path. Substance use disorder is no exception.
September marks National Recovery Month, a time to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices. In honor of the observance, two ThedaCare substance use disorder specialists join us to provide a balanced picture of substance use disorder (SUD) recovery. Caitlin Reider and Nicole Hooley, certified substance abuse counselors with ThedaCare Behavioral Health, share insights.
Defining SUD
SUD refers to the use of illegal or legal substances in a harmful way. Examples of commonly used substances include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, prescription medications such as opioids, and illegal drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.
The American Psychiatric Association groups types of SUD into four categories:
- Impaired control: experiencing a strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed attempts to cut down or control substance use
- Social problems: substance use causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school or home; individual may neglect social, work or leisure activities
- Dangerous use: substance use in unsafe settings; continued use despite known problems
- Drug effects: tolerance (need for larger amounts to get the same effect); withdrawal symptoms (different for each substance)
Treating SUD
Over the years, thinking and knowledge around SUD treatment have evolved.
“Today we treat SUD as a chronic disease, one that can go in and out of remission,” Reider says. “The symptoms can come and go, and it’s often not a straight path to recovery, and that’s OK.”
The course for SUD differs from other highly complex medical treatments — such as those for cancer, for example. SUD treatment relies heavily on a person’s ability to grow in self-awareness, Reider says.
“It takes time to build that self-understanding, learn healthy coping skills and know the triggers that might cause substance use,” she says. “I liken it to learning the local language after you’ve already landed in another country. You have to learn these skills as you are also building a new way of life.”
Hooley says there’s no place for antiquated ideas when it comes to treating SUD.
“The old way was to shame people into temporary sobriety, and now we know that compassion is the key to success,” she says. “It’s all about progress, not perfection.”
Setting Goals
Substance abuse counselors first work with their clients to set goals that are personally meaningful to them. This may mean complete sobriety or abstinence, a reset to responsible use, or remaining sober during a court-ordered probation, among others.
Counselors help clients to:
- Learn to fill time with constructive activities
- Structure a new set of positive daily routines
- Re-establish healthy connections with others
Navigating Setbacks
And what happens if someone has a recurrence of use? Reider says all is not lost.
“It is not a failure,” she says. “A person cannot ‘fail’ at having a disease. We simply need to regroup and try again or in a new or different way.”
Reider likens the road to recovery to a cross-country road trip with some inevitable bumpy stretches.
“What if you’re driving out West, and you get a flat tire in Denver?” she says. “You fix the flat tire and keep going. You don’t have to return all the way home and start over.”
Help and Hope
Both counselors stress the shift away from old shaming tactics within the recovery space. Meaningful conversation is the key to making positive change, they say.
Even the term “recurrence of use” is an intentional move to replace the phrase relapse. The updated language fosters a more neutral understanding of SUD as a chronic disease, not a moral failing. It also helps counselors and clients focus on modifying treatment plans and reinforcing strategies, rather than feeling defeated.
“Compassion creates a whole new world where change feels truly possible,” Reider says. “Everyone can recover.”
For those needing SUD help, no-appointment-needed intake is available at ThedaCare Behavioral Health Walk-in Care in Neenah. You also can schedule intake at ThedaCare Behavioral Health locations in Berlin, Oshkosh, Shawano and Waupaca. Primary care physicians or advanced practice providers can make a referral, or individuals can call (920) 720-2300 to schedule.
