Center for Addiction Medicine

The Center for Addiction Medicine program for addiction to illicit drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol and problem gambling is based on the educational LIVING IN BALANCE matrix developed by Hazelden. This unique approach is most effective in a group setting with others who are also on the road to recovery.

The program consists of six weeks of four morning or evening groups per week. Each group is three hours. Family and/or other relationships are requested to participate in one of these group sessions per week.

Addiction medicine is an interdisciplinary practice specializing in the identification and treatment of persons whose disorders are caused or exacerbated by the use of addictive substances. Such substances have the unique property of promoting continued use in a compulsive manner despite adverse consequences to the user.  In our society, the most notable offending substances are nicotine, alcohol, opiates, stimulant drugs and marijuana.

Services typically offered by specialists in addiction medicine include:

• Management of withdrawal. 
• Consultation with other physicians concerning identification, intervention and management of patients in hospital or office practice whose disorders are directly linked to use of these substances.
• Facilitation of patient engagement in treatment programs designed to reduce the progression of the patient's substance-related problems.
• Development of outcomes-based treatment programs for such patients.
• Environmental modifications so as to alter the social, behavioral, and pharmacologic inputs that support the continuation of substance abuse and dependence.
• Research into the genetic and neurobioligic aspects of addiction, with the ultimate goal of developing improved methols of prevention, eary intervention and treatment (behavioral and pharmacologic) of addictive disorders.

Addiction is a brain disease characterized by the continued use of a specific psychoactive substance despite physical, psychological or social harm.

Many people assume that addiction is simply an overuse of drugs, and that the addict is just a drug user who chooses to use too much. But research has shown that addiction, unlike casual drug use, is no longer a matter of free choice.

The National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Medical Association all define this state of driven, compulsive use as the essence of addiction.

Someone who abuses drugs may suffer negative consequences from using, as the addict does, but generally can and does stop when these consequences become too severe.

Prevention, diagnosis, detoxification, consultation, program development, research, treatment of medical or psychiatric complications and relapse.

If you are dependent on alcohol or any drug, talk to a family member or your doctor. Seek treatment. You can also get help through community programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.