Addiction Treatment Programs at All In Solutions

Each addiction has a story behind it. Some people started with prescription medications that developed into a dependency, others started with alcohol to calm their anxiety, and others turned to substances as a means to cope.

Each addiction has a story behind it. Some people started with prescription medications that developed into a dependency, others started with alcohol to calm their anxiety, and others turned to substances as a means to cope.

However you got there, it’s important to remember that addiction is not a moral failure or lack of willpower. It is a complex chronic condition that develops as a result of changes in the brain’s reward system, genetics, mental health, trauma, and environmental influences, and is sustained by cravings that are far more powerful than the simple decision to just stop.

What this means for treatment is that the old concept of one-size-fits-all does not work. Someone with an opioid use disorder will have very different clinical needs than someone who struggles with alcohol. A person with an addiction that involves trauma, ADHD, or another co-occurring mental health disorder needs a treatment plan that takes both the substance use and those additional factors into consideration. 

This is why All In Solutions provides individualized, evidence-based addiction treatment for an entire range of substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. No matter your situation, we have programs available to meet your clinical needs, backed by clinical expertise and lived understanding, to help you find your way through.

Explore each of the substances below to learn more about how addiction develops and what treatment looks like.

Substance-Specific Treatment Programs

Understanding Addiction: Types, Causes, and What Recovery Looks Like

Addiction is a chronic, recurrent disorder of the brain defined by compulsive use of a substance or engagement in an activity that results in harm. Per NIDA and the DSM-5, addiction is classified as a substance use disorder, which is characterized by an inability to control use, prioritization of the substance or behavior over all aspects of the individual’s life, and continued use despite evidence of harm.[1]

At the neurological level, addiction results from the dysregulation of the reward circuit in the brain, specifically the dopamine-mediated pathways that support rewarding behaviors.[2] Addictive substances and behaviors hijack the reward circuit and create pleasure or relief at a level far greater than any natural reward. The brain becomes conditioned to prioritize these chemicals and activities over everything else, craving the addictive substance or behavior, building a tolerance to it, and resulting in compulsive use.

Types of Addiction

Addictions can be divided into two major categories: substance addictions and behavioral addictions. 

Substance addictions involve a pattern of problematic use of a substance, which can include opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines, alcohol, cannabis, hallucinogens, inhalants, and prescription medications.[3] The clinical presentation of substance use disorders varies greatly based on the substance, as do the withdrawal symptoms and treatment protocols.

Behavioral addictions are compulsive behaviors that activate the brain’s reward system, resulting in similar neurologically mediated reactions as substance addictions. Recognition of behavioral addictions has grown, with gambling disorders formally recognized by the DSM-5.[4] Research on other behavioral addictions like gaming, internet use, spending, and social media is growing rapidly.

What Causes Addiction?

Addiction develops due to a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics account for approximately 40% to 60% of a person’s risk for addiction, according to NIDA.[5] Mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD, significantly raise a person’s risk for substance use disorders since people struggling with mental health often use substances to cope with the symptoms, and the neurological vulnerabilities that contribute to both tend to overlap.[6] Environmental factors such as trauma, adverse childhood experiences, family members with substance use disorders, and early exposure to substances also contribute significantly.[7]

Addiction and Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Many people seeking help for addiction have at least one co-occurring mental health disorder, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD, and personality disorders.[8] Without the simultaneous treatment of both conditions, outcomes are poor — which is why All In Solutions offers integrated dual diagnosis programs that treat both issues at the same time, within a single treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment

What are the most common types of substance use disorders?

The most common substance use disorders are alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, cannabis use disorder, stimulant use disorder, and sedative/benzodiazepine use disorder. Alcohol use disorder is the most prevalent in the United States, followed closely by cannabis and opioids.

Substance addiction describes a physical or psychological dependence on drugs or alcohol, while behavioral addiction describes compulsively participating in a behavior like gambling, video games, or using social media, that releases chemicals in the brain similar to those produced by substances. Both types of addiction are characterized by a lack of control, damaging consequences, and difficulty stopping, even though they want to.

The most common signs that someone might need addiction treatment are: having a desire to stop or control the use of a substance but being unable to do so, continuing to use despite significant negative consequences, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using, neglecting personal responsibilities and/or relationships, and developing a tolerance, meaning that more of the substance is required to get the same effect. If you believe you or someone in your life may need addiction treatment, speaking with an addiction expert is the first step.

Not everyone who receives addiction treatment will need to complete a medical detox prior to starting; however, detoxification is generally recommended for people who have developed a physical dependence on substances such as alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines, all of which can have physically dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Our admissions staff and clinical personnel will work with you to assess your needs and ensure that you receive appropriate care.

We are here for you 24/7. Reach out to our team today.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Realizing that you or someone you love has a problem is often the toughest part. Once that first step is complete, everything else — finding the right program, understanding treatment options, and working with insurance — we can help with.

If you’re ready to take the next step toward recovery, reach out today. Our admissions department is available to help make sense of the process and will support you without pressure or judgment.

[1] [3] [5] [7] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Drugs, brains, and behavior: The science of addiction. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction

[2] [6] Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2016). Neurobiology of addiction: A neurocircuitry analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(8), 760–773. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)00104-8

[4] American Psychiatric Association. (n.d.). What is gambling disorder? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gambling-disorder/what-is-gambling-disorder

[8] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Common comorbidities with substance use disorders research report. https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/comorbidity