Substance Use Disorder

Regaining control of your life after dependence on or addiction to drugs or alcohol — known as substance use disorders — is one of the most difficult things to go through. However, recovery can be a reality. Our large team of state-certified chemical dependency specialists offer confidential, personalized treatments to help you kick your habit for good.

Help for substance use disorders at MultiCare Behavioral Health

At MultiCare, you are never alone on your path to recovery. We offer a broad range of treatments and support, including:

• Adult services: We provide services with two levels of care, outpatient and intensive outpatient SUD treatment, through our adult substance use disorder treatment program.
• Integrated services: As a leader in integrated services, we help you get the services when you need them most. State-certified mental health specialists are available in 11 of MultiCare’s primary care clinics. Learn more about our integrated services.
• Peer support: State-certified peer specialists draw from their personal addiction recovery experiences to give you the extra support and encouragement you need. Learn more about peer support and our other specialty services.

What is substance use disorder?

A substance use disorder happens when a person becomes dependent on or addicted to a mood-altering chemical, such as drugs or alcohol. Most people with a substance use disorder want to stop using, but their dependence or addiction is so strong, they simply cannot function without drugs or alcohol.

Developing a substance use disorder doesn’t happen overnight. Many people become dependent after casually using drugs or alcohol (recreational use).

Regardless of how your dependence or addiction starts, a substance use disorder affects every aspect of your well-being. Everything, including your physical health and employment, eventually becomes secondary to supporting your habit.

What are the symptoms of substance use disorder?

People suffering from a substance use disorder experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

• Deteriorating work or school performance
• Feeling that a normal life is not possible without drugs or alcohol
• Strong cravings for drugs or alcohol when they are not available
• Consuming larger quantities of drugs or alcohol over time
• Spending a lot of time on activities related to drugs or alcohol, such as obtaining, using and recovering from its effects
• Skipping important social, work-related or recreational activities to have more time for drugs or alcohol

How do we diagnose substance use disorder?

We diagnose a substance use disorder based on a number of factors, including which substance(s) you are using, how frequently you are using and the length of time since you last used.

We also look for physical symptoms of a substance use disorder. These may include:

• Weight loss
• Constant tiredness
• Red eyes
• Abnormalities in heart rate or blood pressure that are not due to a medical condition
• Symptoms of withdrawal, such as sweating profusely, tremors and becoming physically ill

Some people with chemical dependency may also experience other mental health issues. Our comprehensive diagnostic approach includes screening for these conditions, which may include:

• Anxiety or Panic disorder
• Depression
• PTSD
• A history of abuse

How do we treat substance use disorder?

We can help you break the cycle of dependence or addiction and recover from your substance use disorder. Our state-certified chemical dependency professionals are specially trained to help you rebuild your life and develop the coping skills necessary to make a life-long commitment to recovery.

At MultiCare Behavioral Health, we offer two levels of outpatient treatment:

• Intensive Outpatient Program: Our intensive outpatient program helps you overcome the symptoms of withdrawal and work toward relapse prevention.
• Aftercare Program: You transition to our aftercare program after you are able to demonstrate you have the skills necessary to maintain recovery on your own.

We use nationally recognized practices to assess your condition and plan your treatment. If you require inpatient care, we give you a referral to an outside program.

Learn more about our Substance Use Disorder Program.

Note: The condition description on this page is intended to be informational only, and should not be considered a diagnosis or medical advice. Please seek the advice of a qualified medical professional if you believe you have any of the symptoms described here.