As addiction medicine specialists, Karen Hanks, MD, and the team at Priority Health in Union City, Tennessee, provide compassionate and effective treatment for adults who are suffering from an addiction to alcohol, opioids, narcotics, and other drug dependencies. Their whole-person approach offers comprehensive care that includes today’s most advanced medications, therapy, and lifestyle recommendations that support your ongoing recovery. If you need help for an addiction, call the office or request an appointment online today.

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What is addiction medicine?

Addiction medicine focuses on treating substance use disorders, including alcohol dependence and opioid addictions. The team at Priority Health often uses addiction medicine to refer to the life-changing medications available to treat opioid addictions.

These powerful medications prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms. They can also be prescribed at their outpatient Suboxone Clinic, giving people convenient access to addiction treatment without the expense of hospitalization.

As addiction medicine specialists, the team at Priority Health places a high value on maintaining a trustworthy, empathetic, and caring environment as they treat the full spectrum of addictions.

What substance use disorders are treated through addiction medicine?

Addictions can develop from numerous substances that trigger the reward centers in your brain, including:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Marijuana
  • Opioids (heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, Vicodin®)
  • Stimulants (methamphetamines, cocaine)
  • Barbiturates (tranquilizers)
  • Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, ketamine, ecstasy)

Outpatient medical detox programs are available for most of these substances.

What should I expect during addiction medicine treatment?

Priority Health practices a whole-patient approach, using a combination of therapy and medication to successfully treat patients who are struggling with addiction.

Combining therapy and medication, called medication-assisted management, has a proven history of achieving successful, long-lasting recovery from an addiction.

Various medications used during your treatment stop cravings, prevent withdrawal, and also help to normalize brain chemicals that are altered by addiction.

Examples of medications used during detox and/or recovery include:

  • Suboxone®
  • Buprenorphine
  • Naloxone
  • Methadone
  • Naltrexone
  • Acamprosate
  • Disulfiram

These medications can all be used for outpatient treatment. However, they require regular checkups so the team at Priority Health can monitor your progress and be sure you have the right medicine and dose.

Why is talk therapy included in addiction medicine?

Talk therapy is just as important as medications for overcoming addiction. Addiction is a complex disease accompanied by numerous causes and many mental, emotional, behavioral, and social challenges.

As you detox and recover, you must also explore why you started using alcohol or drugs. These issues still exist after you stop using your substance, and they can be the triggers that make you relapse and start using drugs or alcohol again.

The best way to ensure you don’t relapse is by identifying, exploring, and learning healthy ways to cope with your issues. And the only way to do that is with individual and group therapy.

If you need the help of addiction medicine, call Priority Health or book an appointment online today.