Home Conditions & Treatment Addiction Disorders Drugs and Substance Use Disorder

What is Drug and Substance Use Disorder?

Drugs and substance use disorders refer to the consumption of substances that alter one’s physical or mental state, leading to the development of a chronic and potentially debilitating condition. Substance use disorder is a medical condition characterized by a problematic pattern of substance use that leads to significant impairment or distress. It is a chronic, relapsing disorder that affects the brain and behavior, resulting in compulsive drug-seeking and use, despite negative consequences. SUD encompasses a range of severity, from mild to moderate to severe, based on the number of diagnostic criteria met.

According to the Center of Addiction, 40 million Americans 12 ad older (or more than 1 in 7 people) abuse or are addicted to nicotine, alcohol or other drugs. At the Pacific Brain Health Center, we provide support and services to help patients successfully overcome Substance Use Disorder (SUD).

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Lifeline) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. Contact social media outlets directly if you are concerned about a friend’s social media updates or dial 911 in an emergency. Learn more on the Lifeline’s website or the Crisis Text Line’s website.

About Drug Addiction
Drug abuse screening tool

The Addiction Medicine Services at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute in Santa Monica, California is dedicated to the assessment, treatment, and prevention of addiction and substance use issues including problems with drugs, alcohol, and/or prescription medications.

In addition to treating known drug addictions, our doctors and clinicians also see many patients who do not have an addiction but need assistance in tapering off prescription medications or have concerns that they may be at risk for addiction in the future.

We can provide consultation in a discrete and non-judgmental setting to help you find out if you do or do not have a problem with drugs. Whether your problem is addiction or some other issue with a substance, our doctors and clinicians would like to help you be as safe and healthy as possible which may include stopping the substance completely, taking a temporary break from the substance, or changing or reducing your substance use.

Our services include office-based treatment and assessment of addiction and substance use issues.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment May Include:

Outpatient visits with our doctor and/or therapist
Medications
Counseling and psychosocial support
Referrals to additional services and resources in the community.

Substance Use Disorder Medications May Include:

Buprenorphine (Suboxone®) for opioid use disorder
Naltrexone for alcohol use disorder
Monthly anti-addiction injections including long-acting depot buprenorphine (Sublocade®) for opioid use disorder
Long-acting depot naltrexone (Vivitrol®) for alcohol or opioid use disorder.

Our doctors can help you to decide if a medication is right for treating your problem.

Some patients may be able to complete outpatient detoxification (at home) under our doctor’s supervision, but patients requiring more intensive inpatient detoxification or residential drug/alcohol rehabilitation services will be referred to outside community resources.

Substance Abuse Screening

If you think you may have a problem with drugs, alcohol, and/or prescription medications, take the following quiz, print out the last page, and bring it in to review with one of our clinicians.

NIDA Drug Screening Tool

Treatment with Ketamine

Patients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, drug/alcohol problems, and other conditions may be eligible for psychedelic-assisted therapy with ketamine.

Ketamine-Assisted Treatment

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Dr. Keith Heinzerling practices internal medicine and is an addiction medicine specialist at the Pacific Brain Health Center, Pacific Neuroscience Institute. His clinical and research focuses are on the treatment of alcohol, drug and substance use problems, with anti-addiction medications.