Nearly 20 million adults in the United States have a substance abuse disorder. If you misuse drugs or alcohol, board-certified family medicine physician Poonam Malhotra, MD, can help you break your habit. At Central Clinic in Spring Hill, Florida, she offers a variety of treatments to get you on the road to better health quickly. Schedule an appointment over the phone or use the online booking tool today.
Substance abuse disorder involves the misuse of recreational drugs or alcohol. It affects your brain and behavior, making it difficult to stop using substances you’re addicted to.
Substance abuse can harm your body, but you might continue with the unhealthy habit nonetheless. Treatment can help you break the addiction to reduce your risk of serious mental and physical health problems.
Some common signs and symptoms of substance abuse you or a loved one might experience include:
If you know drinking excessive alcohol or using illicit drugs is harmful but can’t stop on your own, seek help from Dr. Malhotra at Central Clinic.
Anybody can develop substance abuse at any time, but certain factors increase your risk. Examples include personal or family history of substance abuse, having a mental health disorder, peer pressure, lack of a social support network, using drugs or alcohol at a young age, and taking highly addictive drugs.
To diagnose substance abuse disorder, Dr. Malhotra discusses your symptoms and lifestyle and asks questions about your drug and alcohol use. She completes a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and physical examination.
Dr. Malhotra might suggest you undergo diagnostic testing procedures, such as blood or urine tests, to detect or rule out additional medical problems and develop a personalized treatment plan.
To help break your substance abuse, Dr. Malhotra might recommend you undergo one or more of the following treatments:
Dr. Malhotra personalizes each treatment to help you achieve optimal mental and physical health and a better quality of life. She can refer you to specialists in the area for complex medical problems when necessary.
If you struggle to break an addiction and are ready for substance abuse treatment, schedule an appointment with Central Clinic over the phone or online today.