Types of Addiction

Caring for people who struggle with substance use disorder

Addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a complex medical problem. It’s a disease that causes changes in the brain over time.

Addiction is not simply a lack of willpower or an unwillingness to stop using a drug. Patients often need professional help in order to get better. Our addiction team provides specialized care for people who are struggling with these challenges.

We care for patients who use a variety of addictive substances, including:

• Alcohol addiction
• Opioid addiction
• Cocaine, methamphetamine (meth), and other stimulants
• Hallucinogens, including LSD and PCP
• Prescription medications

Many of our patients use more than one substance. Addiction involving the use of multiple substances is called polysubstance use disorder. Teens and younger adults are especially at risk for polysubstance use disorder. This may be because young people who begin using addictive substances early are more likely to experiment with more substances and spend time with those who do.