Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine serving Virginia
Addiction Treatment Services Offered Throughout Virginia
Whether you’re worried about your overuse of alcohol or drugs, or you struggle with strong cravings and withdrawal, you can get the addiction treatment you need while staying at home. At Vital Health & Integrative Care, Aminata Kamara, FNP, PMHNP-BC, provides addiction treatment to patients throughout Virginia, through telehealth appointments. She offers medical guidance, giving you the ability to safely detox and recover while avoiding inpatient programs. Call the office or use the online booking tool today to learn more.
What is addiction?
Once you develop an addiction, treatment is essential for breaking the habit. You need treatment to stop cravings, detox without painful and potentially serious withdrawal symptoms, and recover without relapsing.
When you consume addictive substances such as opioids, alcohol, and other drugs, they activate your brain, triggering the release of chemicals. These chemicals ease pain, boost your mood, and generally make you feel good.
Regular substance use affects nerve communication, which makes your brain dependent on your preferred substance. That’s when cravings start. Before long, your brain gets used to the amount you use and you must increase the dose to stop cravings and get the same results.
If you stop using the substance at this point, you can have withdrawal symptoms. That’s when you know for sure that you need addiction treatment to overcome the physical dependency.
What signs indicate I need addiction treatment?
Cravings and withdrawal symptoms are the obvious signs you need addiction treatment. But you may have earlier behavioral signs, such as:
- Skipping your responsibilities
- Giving up activities you enjoy
- Needing to use the substance in the morning
- Spending excessive time using or recovering from your substance
- Isolating from family and friends (to hide your substance use)
Another sign you need help is when you keep using the substance despite the changes in your behavior.
What type of addiction treatment will I receive?
Addiction treatment may involve medication and psychotherapy provided on an outpatient basis. The medications currently available include:
Opioid addictions
Aminata Kamara starts your opioid addiction treatment with Suboxone®, a medication that stops cravings, prevents withdrawal, and helps restore normal brain chemistry. Suboxone also blocks the effect of opioids, which prevents an overdose and makes it safe to use for outpatient treatment.
Your first dose of Suboxone is closely supervised by Aminata. She watches your response to the medication and makes sure you get the right dose. Then, you take the medication daily at home while keeping regular telehealth appointments.
After you detox, she may keep prescribing Suboxone or switch to another medication that helps prevent a relapse during your recovery.
Alcohol addictions
Alcohol addictions are treated with medications and therapy to support your detox and recovery, but the process is the same as for opioids.
If you need addiction treatment, don’t wait to schedule a telehealth appointment. Call Vital Health & Integrative Care or book an appointment online today.
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