Drug and Alcohol Abuse South Portland ME

Drug and alcohol abuse typically occurs in response to life situations and may only be temporary, but generally needs to be interrupted before it leads to addiction. Life situations that can trigger drug and alcohol abuse include loss of a loved one, job loss, poor health, divorce, major move, exposure to trauma or abuse whether physical, mental or emotional. Any of these experiences or a combination thereof can result in a person increasing the use of drugs or alcohol to cope, relieve stress or escape.

Portland VA Clinic
(207) 771-3500
73 Washington Avenue
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Day One
(207) 874-1045x114
525 Main Street
South Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

Data Provided by:
Crossroads for Women
(207) 773-9931
66 Pearl Street
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women, Women, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Spurwink
(207) 871-1200
341 Pine Street
South Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Discovery House
(207) 774-7111
400 Western Avenue
South Portland, ME
Hotline
(888) 366-7929
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Methadone Maintenance, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Pregnant/postpartum women
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Access Team
(207) 780-0020
576 Saint John Street
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Northeast Occupational Exchange
(207) 553-7056
62 Elm Street
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Outpatient, Partial hospitalization/day treatment
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Serenity House Inc
(207) 774-2722
30 Mellen Street
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house
Types of Care
Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Special Programs/Groups
Men

Data Provided by:
Food Addiction and Chemical Dependency
(207) 774-4564x1
650 Main Street
South Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
YAI
(207) 874-1060
54 Maple Street
Portland, ME
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Halfway house, Buprenorphine Services
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days)
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired

Data Provided by:
Data Provided by:

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Drug and alcohol abuse are serious problems that can have a negative impact on every aspect of your life. Drug and alcohol abuse is generally the precursor to addiction, but not always.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse is Situational

Drug and alcohol abuse typically occurs in response to life situations and may only be temporary, but generally needs to be interrupted before it leads to addiction. Life situations that can trigger drug and alcohol abuse include loss of a loved one, job loss, poor health, divorce, major move, exposure to trauma or abuse whether physical, mental or emotional. Any of these experiences or a combination thereof can result in a person increasing the use of drugs or alcohol to cope, relieve stress or escape.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse can lead to Addiction

Many of the events surrounding drug and alcohol addiction can be so traumatic that an individual uses drugs and alcohol to “check out” of life. In this event, the drug and alcohol use needs to be interrupted before it spirals into addiction. Generally family members, loved ones and friends will notice and encourage the person to get help. A good counselor or therapist can help someone address the underlying reasons for turning to drugs and alcohol. Support groups and journaling may be suggested to help move through overwhelming emotions the person is using drugs and alcohol to suppress.

Drug and alcohol abuse doesn’t always lead to addiction but for people who have family history or display addictive t...

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Mixing Alcohol and Medications

Combining alcohol with medications of any kind can have severe health consequences. Alcohol is a depressant and has the ability to react to other depressant-like medications whether over-the-counter or prescription medicines. Be aware that mixing a cocktail, a glass of wine or a beer can enhance a medication’s sedating effects. Medicines such as opiate painkillers, even the synthetic opiates, sleep medicines, sedatives, anti-anxiety, and over the counter liquid medications such as cough syrups and liquid laxatives combined with alcohol can cause synergism. Synergism means that the alcohol doubles or triples the effects of the medications. Some symptoms that might indicate a problem with synergism might be: memory problems, loss of coordination, unsteady gait or frequent falls, changes in sleeping habits, unexplained bruising, being uncertain about yourself, irritability, sadness, depression, unexplained chronic pain, changes in eating habits, problems breathing, problems finishing sentences, incontinence, lack of interest in activities.

Ask your physician and pharmacist any questions you might have before accepting any new medication, especially if you drink alcohol on a regular basis. Write down answers if you have to. Many liquid over-the-counter medications already have alcohol in them, such as Nyquil, some Robitussin formulas, some liquid laxatives, etc. Some formulas have up to 10% alcohol in them. Women tend to have less water in their body and less muscle mass than men; therefore levels of medications can affect them differently. Women should reduce their intake of alcohol when taking prescriptions or OTCs that have alcohol in them.

Attribution: We are your primary location for outpatient alcohol and drug addiction treatment services. Contact me now for more information or visit our website. This is where recovery begins. Serenity Treatment Center

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