Substance Use Disorder

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About Substance Abuse

As of 2020, substance abuse affects around 40.3 million Americans in a given year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. For some, this may be a temporary derailment from their normal lives. For others, it can be a life-long process that requires years of challenging recovery. But no matter what led you to a substance abuse disorder, there is help waiting for you with our substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, available right here at Pacific Mind Health.

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Our team of unsurpassed mental health care providers has a wealth of experience treating people from all walks of life who are dealing with substance abuse in Long Beach and our surrounding communities. With the right medical and emotional support from Pacific Mind Health, you can overcome your addiction and regain control of your life. Our process includes personalized outpatient care and taking the time to get to know each individual patient in order to build a specialized path to lasting recovery. So if you or someone you know could turn their life around with substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, please reach out to us at 562.279.0180 or fill out our online form today.

Please note: Patients who have not sustained abstinence from substances for at least 90 days are considered too acute for outpatient treatment, such as that offered at Pacific Mind Health. To have success in this early stage of recovery, these patients need a more intensive program to manage withdrawal symptoms, physical cravings, psychological dependence, and tempting triggers. After achieving abstinence for 90 days, the outpatient program at Pacific Mind Health can assist patients in maintaining sobriety by learning new strategies for coping, identifying trauma that contributed to substance abuse, rebuilding relationships, and cultivating a substance-free lifestyle.

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse refers to the overconsumption of and addiction to substances that alter one’s mind and behavior in a way that has negative consequences on their physical health, mental health, and behavioral patterns. The inappropriate or excessive use of a substance can oftentimes be hard to define, making substance abuse a highly complex issue that can pose a serious risk to those who are affected by it.

Many researchers have agreed and believe that addiction through substance abuse is based on and formed in the brain. Those with substance abuse or the risk factors for developing it often misuse prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or use illegal drugs. As the user invests more and more, the physical and mental dependency on their chosen substance grows until it develops into a continued cycle of substance abuse, despite the problems that the addiction causes in their day-to-day life. This is because most drugs create intense cravings in the brain and have intense withdrawals that make stopping seem impossible.

Over time, excess drug consumption can alter the way your brain works and can drastically affect your level of self-control, as well as the ability to make rational and healthy decisions. But for those looking for substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, there is a way to reclaim your life from drug dependency.

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What causes substance abuse?

What causes substance abuse to develop isn’t always clear and can vary from person to person—many experts in the field point to both genetics and environmental factors as the main culprits.

Genetics plays an important role in how quickly you can become addicted to a substance. Some people are simply more likely to develop an addiction than others. And for those with a genetic predisposition toward substance abuse, just a few uses of a drug can quickly build the groundwork for a growing substance abuse issue. And once the vicious cycle has taken hold, it can be very difficult to break free.

Environmental factors such as your upbringing, family, friend groups, lifestyle, and even the area you live in can all have an effect on the likelihood of developing a substance abuse issue. Surrounding yourself with an environment where drugs are frequently and openly misused can increase your risk drastically.

What are the signs of substance abuse?

Everyone struggling with substance abuse can present different symptoms deepending on the length of time they’ve maintained the addiction, the drug(s) of choice, and the state of their physical and mental health. While this is true, there are many signs that overlap and are noticeable regardless of which addiction is present, including:

  • Regular use of the substance (daily or every other day)
  • A need to take more of the substance the longer you use it
  • Previous failed attempts to stop using the substance
  • Physical and psychological dependence on the substance
  • Withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, high blood pressure, and trembling
  • Failure to meet work, social, and academic obligations
  • Drug-related physical illness or injury
  • Diminished interest in other activities
  • Impulsivity, such as excessive spending and erratic behavior
  • Difficulties starting and maintaining social relationships
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Many people dealing with substance abuse have an underlying mental health condition or significant psychological and emotional difficulty. That’s why substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, here at Pacific Mind Health, is so important. Once those with a substance abuse issue are able to safely detox and have abstained from substances for 90 days, our friendly team of psychiatrists and mental health experts will be there to help you plan out their happy, substance-free future.

What Does Substance Abuse Treatment in Long Beach, CA, Look Like?

Treatment for substance abuse is typically centered around abstinence and can involve a variety of effective therapies and at-home practices. Your psychiatrist here at Pacific Mind Health will help in a variety of ways, including:

  • Psychotherapy
  • Mindfulness practices
  • Stress-management sessions
  • Enhancing your self-esteem and self-control
  • The development of healthy coping mechanisms
  • Lifestyle changes, such as exercise and nutritional changes
  • Medication therapy, such as anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants
  • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), in the case of an existing depression diagnosis


With vast experience with a variety of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more, our substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, will help you get to the root of your substance abuse disorder and set you up for lifelong success.

Overcome Your Substance Abuse With Pacific Mind Health

The work isn’t done after a successful detox and 90 days of abstention from substances—it’s only beginning. And with the right psychiatric care from Pacific Mind Health, you’ll be able to manage your cravings, resist temptations, and improve your overall quality of life.

So if you or anyone you know is struggling with staying sober and is in need of substance abuse treatment in Long Beach, CA, please give us a call at 562.279.0180. You can also easily set up your initial consultation with our convenient online form.

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