Substance Use Disorder

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a preventable and treatable medical condition that is described by the repeated use of substances such as drugs and alcohol. Signs of SUD will be different with each substance used, but some symptoms can include red eyes, slow reaction time, risky behavior, and unexplained changes in personality or attitude.

An overdose happens when too much of a substance is used. Drug overdoses are most common in young children and people in their teens to mid-thirties. People who have certain health conditions are also affected and at higher risk such as those with mental health disorders and a history of substance use.

HealthPoint clinics provide medication treatment and access to counsellors for substance use disorder. Our providers can give Suboxone, Sublocade and Vivitrol for opioid use disorder, and several other additional medications for alcohol use disorder.  HealthPoint pharmacies have Naloxone available to give to patients and will show you how to properly use it.

To learn more about available treatments at one of our clinics, visit: https://www.healthpointchc.org/health-services/substance-use-disorder-care

Suboxone is a medication used to treat substance use disorder and is a mixture of buprenorphine and naloxone. It works by attaching to the same receptors in the brain as other opiates; slowing the intoxication from other drugs and preventing cravings, allowing people to return to a normal life.

Sublocade is the injectable form of Suboxone and requires a monthly injection of the medicine to prevent cravings; allowing people to return to normal.

Vivitrol blocks the effects of opiates in the brain while slowing the effects of other substances in the brain. Vivitrol can be used to treat either opioid or alcohol use disorder.

While Sublocade, Suboxone, and Vivitrol are prescribed to treat substance use disorder, Naloxone is used to quickly reverse an overdose. Naloxone attaches to opioid receptors to reverse and block the opioid effects; allowing someone to quickly return to normal breathing if it has slowed or stopped altogether due to overdose. Washington state has a standing order that allows anyone to receive this medication from a pharmacy. Ask a pharmacist how to properly give it during an overdose.