Substance use disorder (SUD) affects relationships, work, and your overall quality of life. At Open Door Medical Clinic in Great Falls, Montana, Melonie Parmley, DO, offers many types of treatments, including Suboxone® for opioid use and counseling. If you or a loved one struggles with substance use, call the office or use the online booking tool to set up your appointment for medication-assisted treatment.

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What is substance use disorder?

Substance use disorder is addiction to any compound, including opioids and methamphetamine. Dr. Parmley knows addiction is not your fault and welcomes patients with open arms and treats each person with respect.

Opioids include hydrocodone, heroin, codeine, and fentanyl. You may have been prescribed these drugs for legitimate purposes, but they have habit forming qualities that can cause long-term misuse.

Substance use disorder means you are unable to take a compound even when the original reason for needing the medication has resolved. You may seek out substances at the expense of others’ feelings, emotions, needs, and health.

How do I recognize substance use disorder?

You may recognize the following in people who have substance use disorder:

  • Not being able to stop taking substances
  • Taking more than a prescription dose
  • Physical agitation
  • Poor decision-making and abandoning responsibilities
  • Anxiety attacks
  • Low motivation
  • Depression and irritability

You may notice someone with a substance use disorder suffers symptoms when they try to stop taking a substance, like vomiting, sweating, shaking, chills, pain, or insomnia.

Substance use disorder also means a person may do just about anything to obtain their drug. This can damage their social, family, and work life.

How do you treat substance use disorder?

Dr. Parmley offers Suboxone®, a medicine that includes the active ingredients buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone activates the same parts of the brain that cause opioid addiction.

Dr. Parmley closely monitors your use and dosage of Suboxone to help you overcome substance use disorder.

How does Suboxone work?

The active ingredients in Suboxone attach to the receptors in the brain that attract opioids. Because these receptors are full, you have less cravings for opioids. You experience minimal effects of withdrawal.

Suboxone also shuts down other receptors so you don’t get as much pleasure from taking opioid drugs.

The practice also provides counseling and mental health support for the issues that may have led to substance use disorder in the first place. You’ll benefit from faith-based support that helps with behavior change and alters negative thinking patterns.

To learn more about substance use disorder and treatments available, call Open Door Medical Clinic or use the online booking tool today.