Understanding Substance Use
Many still believe that addiction is a failure of character, something that happens as a result of a lack of willpower.
This could not be further from the truth.
Today, science has helped us understand substance use disorder as a treatable, chronic, medical disease.
Some people who use substances create a complex system of chemical relief and reward in the brain, which leads the whole body into cycles of cravings and dependency – or a substance use disorder. Similar to other conditions like heart disease and diabetes, risk for substance use can tie into genetic factors and external factors beyond your control. There is often a close tie between having a traumatic experience and substance use. Women may also develop a dependence earlier in their substance use than men.
Fortunately, like many other health conditions, treatment options for substance use are available and often lead to long-term recovery.
Some symptoms include:
- Behavioral signs related to substance use like interpersonal conflicts, changes to mood or habit, declining mental health, legal and financial troubles
- Physical signs like chemical tolerance, withdrawal, confusion, weight loss, and poor overall physical health
If you see some of the signs above impacting your life, please know you are not alone. With help from healthcare professionals who specialize in substance use and mental health, you can find recovery. At Wayside, our staff isn’t here to judge but they are here to walk alongside you as you regain balance in your life and find healing.
Why Trauma-Informed Treatment is the Key to Success
Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency.
Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency.
In childhood, overwhelming stress can trigger the brain and body to adapt in order to stay safe and alive. It is very important that this adaptation take place—however, there can be serious consequences when the child becomes an adult and has little experience in forming healthy coping skills and safe relationships as a partner, mother, colleague or friend. Some women turn to using alcohol or drugs to deal with an overwhelming situation.
Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency. Women with co-occurring mental health problems like depression, anxiety and PTSD are much more likely to become chemically dependent. More than 85% of the women we serve have experienced significant trauma in their lives and more than 60% have complex medical needs.
Wayside has worked diligently over six decades to develop and sustain the expertise required to address the unique needs of women and families. While other facilities may help women address either their chemical health or their mental health, we believe that addressing both at once is the best path to long-term recovery from substance use disorder.
Project ECHO
Wayside Maternal and Infant Health Webinars
Wayside hosts a free public education webinar series in partnership with Project ECHO* (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).
We are thrilled to announce a new series of webinars in February – April 2025. Details on upcoming webinars below.
April 10, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00PM CT
Gambling Disorder: A Highly Co-occurring Addiction That Few Want to Talk About
facilitated by
Susan Sheridan Tucker, M.U.P.
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, Executive Director
Summary:
Gambling disorder continues to be an addiction that receives little mention in most addiction circles, yet 65% of those with a gambling disorder also have other addictions and/or mental health issues. This presentation will provide an overview of the signs of gambling disorder and who are the most vulnerable. Why we need to be screening for gambling disorder.
Learning Outcomes:
- An overview of gambling disorder, prevalence, who’s impacted.
- Identifying the similarities/differences in SUD and gambling disorder.
- The need to screen for problem gambling within the SUD and mental health arena.
NEW: April 22, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00PM CT
No Bad Patients: The Neurobiology of
Trauma and Addiction
facilitated by
Lydia Bartholow, DNP, PMHNP, CARN-AP,
Assistant Professor at UCSF
Summary:
This Wayside Women’s Wellness ECHO will review the neurobiology of trauma and discuss, in depth, how trauma makes us more vulnerable to developing a SUD later in life. ASAM recently changed their definition of addiction to include life experiences but how is it that adverse life experiences so profoundly prime the pump for addictive behavior? Find out in this ECHO! Spoiler Alert: it’s all about the immune system!
Please contact Zora Darcourt at zora.darcourt@waysiderc.org with any questions, concerns, or ECHO session ideas.
Project ECHO is a movement to demonopolize knowledge and amplify capacity to provide best practice care. Wayside Project ECHO webinars focused on fostering collaboration between patients, community and health practitioners to deliver high-quality care to Black mothers, infants and their families.
Past webinars are available on the Wayside Recovery YouTube Channel.
Topics included maternal and infant health factors such as:
- Supporting the needs of women in recovery during postpartum period
- De-stigmatizing opioid use in pregnancy to remove barriers to prenatal care
- Addressing and improving Black maternal health disparities
and more
*Funded fully through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS). Nothing in these materials constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the MN DHS of content, services or policies.
Wayside Cares
How wayside is addressing maternal health disparities
Wayside Recovery Center understands that the maternal and infant mortality crisis cannot be adequately addressed without understanding and dismantling racism and bias in our medical and behavioral health systems. We also understand that the complexities of the crisis require community-based responses. This means not only addressing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illness, but also recognizing the inequalities that persist across the behavioral health system.
When you give to Wayside, your donation goes directly to providing individualized care for women and whole-family treatment. Wayside empowers women and children with the tools they need to recover their lives, but it is donors like you who empower Wayside to provide families with everything they need to heal, stabilize, and thrive.
Take the first step towards recovery. You can also reach intake during traditional business hours at 612-242-5540.