Substance Abuse

Mark DeLuca, MD

General Psychiatrist & Forensic Psychiatrists located in Royal Palm Beach, FL & Palm Beach, FL

Substance abuse involves the misuse of alcohol or drugs to the point when it affects nearly every aspect of your life. Treatment for substance abuse requires an individualized approach, but it can help improve your physical health as well as your emotional, financial, and social well-being. With offices in Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach, and Juno Beach, Florida, board-certified psychiatrist Mark DeLuca, MD, and certified physician assistant Dane Santoro, PA-C, work closely with you to heal from substance abuse. Call the nearest office to schedule an appointment or book online today.

Substance Abuse Q&A

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse, also known as substance use disorder (SUD), is the repeated misuse of alcohol or drugs. Common substances that people misuse include:

Opioids
Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
Stimulants
Hallucinogens
Marijuana
Inhalants
Tobacco

These substances activate the brain’s reward system, producing pleasant feelings. Activating your reward system may create intense cravings that make it hard to quit using the substance.

What causes substance abuse?

There’s no single reason for substance abuse. However, there may be different factors that contribute to the misuse of alcohol or drugs, such as genetics, pressure from others, or the effects of the substance.

People with substance abuse may also have other mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They may turn to these substances as a way to cope with their symptoms.

What are the symptoms of substance abuse?

Symptoms of substance abuse vary from person to person, depending on the type of substance, other underlying mental health conditions, and severity of substance misuse.

Common symptoms may include:

Feeling like you need the substance to function
Behavior changes
Withdrawal from loved ones
Continuing to use the substance despite harm to health, relationships, or career
Withdrawal symptoms (when you stop using the substance)

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, the team can help. At the offices of Marc DeLuca, MD, they provide nonjudgmental care to help you overcome substance abuse.

How is substance abuse treated?

Before proceeding with substance abuse treatment, it’s important to recognize that you have a problem with substances. When trying to help a loved one recognize this, you should always approach them with empathy and respect.

The team then customizes substance abuse treatments based on the type of substance you use and any underlying mental health conditions you have. The goal of treatment is to help you stop using the substance and find more healthy coping mechanisms.

They may recommend therapy to help you understand your substance misuse and develop coping skills to maintain your sobriety. The team works together to create a comprehensive therapy plan that addresses the source of your concerns.

Some medications might also help control cravings (withdrawal symptoms), or relieve symptoms of co-existing conditions such as anxiety or depression.

For expert substance abuse care, call Mark DeLuca, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.

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