If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance use disorder, life can feel hopeless, but addiction doesn’t have to define you. Recovery is possible. 

You don’t have to go through it alone.

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has the most highly trained team of drug and alcohol addiction experts in Columbus, Ohio — dedicated, compassionate specialists including psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners and counselors. With their partnership, you’ll learn new strategies for overcoming old habits and breaking the grip of addiction.

We know treatment for substance use disorder isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. We’ll put together a treatment plan that’s personalized to your unique situation. We offer various levels of care, including residential and outpatient services, medically assisted treatment, specialized programming for pregnant women, and cognitive behavioral and other proven therapies. No matter your needs, we’re here to help.

If you or a loved one want help now, call 614-257-3760 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder, also known as drug addiction, is characterized by a pattern of uncontrolled use of a substance despite it causing harm physically, mentally and socially.

A substance is any drug or medicine, legal or illegal, and people with a substance use disorder become so preoccupied with using the substance or recovering that it impairs their daily life. The condition is common, and an estimated 20 million Americans have a substance use disorder.

Substances often associated with substance use disorder include:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Prescription medications, such as pain pills or stimulants
• Cocaine
• Opiates, such as heroin and fentanyl
• Methamphetamine
• Inhalants
• Hallucinogens, such as ecstasy or LSD

We treat people who are addicted to any of these substances, as well as others.

It’s important to remember that substance use disorder is a complex brain condition that often requires professional medical help to treat. Substance use disorder isn’t a result of a person’s lack of judgment or failures.

What are signs and symptoms of a substance use disorder?

Symptoms of substance use disorder can fall into one of four categories: impaired control, social changes, risky behaviors and tolerance. Some examples of symptoms include:

• Craving the substance
• Using the substance despite it causing physical, mental and social problems
• Being unable to stop using the substance or using it more than planned
• Being unable to complete tasks at home or work because of substance use
• Losing interest in hobbies or passions
• Using the substance in risky settings, such as while driving or engaging in sexual behavior
• Building up a tolerance to the drug, meaning you need more of it to achieve similar effects
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t use the drugs

If you think your child, other family member or friend might be addicted, it’s important to notice signs of drug use early. Signs to look for include:

• Issues at school or work, such as missing assignments or decreased performance at school or work
• Disinterest in physical appearance, such as not bathing or lack of interest in clothing
• Health problems, such as fatigue, weight changes or red eyes
• Changes in behavior, such as being secretive, changing friend groups, or getting in trouble with the law or other authority figures
• Money issues, such as borrowing or stealing money or stealing items to sell for money to buy drugs

What’s the difference between a substance use disorder and addiction?

Substance use disorder is a newer medical term meant to underscore the fact that physical and psychological dependence on a drug occurs on a spectrum of mild, moderate or severe. Addiction is most often associated with the most severe form of the disorder, when a person uses the substance despite negative consequences.

Substance use disorder is a diagnosis that offers better clarity to the condition a person might be experiencing while reducing the stigma around words such as addiction, addict and drug abuse.

Why choose Ohio State for your addiction treatment?

The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is a leader in treating substance use disorder in central Ohio and the region. As a large, academic health system, we’re able to offer benefits not available elsewhere while still providing individualized, compassionate care.

Keys to our substance use disorder program include:

Capacity – We know time is of the essence when you’re in crisis or you make the decision to get sober. Currently, we don’t have a waitlist for most programs, whether at our main Talbot Hall location, several satellite locations or our telehealth services. We recently opened a new residential unit, adding 15 beds for live-in behavioral treatment. This is in addition to the 25 withdrawal management beds we have.

Comprehensive care – We offer the highest level of medical withdrawal management to safely help you stop using drugs, various types of behavioral therapy, expertise in medications for substance use disorder and the latest advances in the study of addiction medicine. We also offer specialized programs, such as our Substance Abuse, Treatment, Education and Prevention Program (STEPP) for pregnant people.

Continuity – No matter where you are in your recovery journey, we have a level of care ideal for your treatment. We have urgent care services, residential programs, various levels of inpatient and outpatient care as well as partners in the community to get you back to living your life. You can get all your addiction treatment in one health system, even if you relapse.

Chronic treatment – Our programs don’t have traditional time limits for how long you can receive a level of care, and we treat substance use disorder as a chronic disease. We’re prepared to help you for the long haul.

Comorbidity management – Many people who have substance use disorder have dual diagnoses, especially relating to mental health. Since we’re a large academic medical center, we have the capability to treat depression, anxiety or other mental health conditions alongside your addiction.

Substance use disorder treatment options at Ohio State

We have a diverse continuum of care that offers various sorts of treatment for substance use disorder. Your treatment will begin with an initial evaluation to decide what type and level of care is right for you.