Substance Abuse

General Psychiatrist located in Miledgeville and Macon, GA

Substance Abuse services offered in Miledgeville and Macon, GA

Whether you’re worried your alcohol or drug use is excessive, or you already have cravings and withdrawal symptoms, you can get medical help for substance abuse without entering a hospital or clinic. Ronnie Blount, MD, in Milledgeville and Macon, Georgia, specializes in outpatient substance abuse treatment. Dr. Blount offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT), therapy, and relapse prevention services for many substances, including opioids and alcohol. If you’re ready to take the next step and start on the road to recovery, call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.

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Substance Abuse Q&A

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse (substance use disorder) occurs when you keep using alcohol and/or drugs, even when they cause problems in your life, whether at home, work, or in your personal relationships.

You can abuse many legal and illegal substances, including:

Alcohol
Marijuana
Opioids (heroin, codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone)
Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP)
Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines)

Excessive use of these substances can quickly progress from recreational use to dependency and addiction.

Suboxone is offered for opioid dependence on a sliding scale.

How does substance abuse turn into a dependency?

When you use the substances listed above, they activate your brain, leading to the release of chemicals that make you feel euphoric and relieve pain.

Your brain wiring changes as you keep using the substance, leading to uncontrollable cravings. Then your brain gets used to the amount you usually use, and you must take larger doses to get the same results and stop the cravings.

One day, you’ll try to cut back on the amount or stop using the substance, and withdrawal symptoms will begin. That’s when you have a dependency or addiction.

How is substance abuse treated?

The best treatment depends on issues like which substance you use, how much you use, and whether you have cravings and withdrawals. Dr. Blount always creates a customized plan for each patient, but successful treatment for substance abuse includes:

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

For some substances, including opioids and alcohol, Dr. Blount prescribes medications that allow you to detox under his supervision and at home.

For an opioid addiction, he prescribes Suboxone®, a medication that:

Stops opioid cravings
Prevents withdrawal symptoms
Blocks the effect of opioids
Normalizes brain chemistry

You take your first dose in the office. Dr. Blount carefully monitors your response to be sure you have the right dose and don’t experience withdrawal symptoms.

You continue taking the medication at home while keeping regular appointments. After you finish detoxing, Dr. Blount may keep you on Suboxone or prescribe another medication to support your recovery.

Therapy

Medication supports your physical detox, but therapy gives you the tools you need to prevent a relapse and manage a successful life without turning to substance use. For example, during therapy, Dr. Blount can teach you to identify and manage the issues that trigger you to use alcohol or drugs.

If you want to stop using addictive substances, you don’t need to do it alone. Call Ronnie Blount, MD, or request an appointment online today.