Drug and Alcohol Abuse Oak Harbor WA

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.

Island Assessment and Counseling Ctr
(360) 675-5782
520 East Whidbey Avenue
Oak Harbor, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, DUI/DWI offenders, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Center for Counseling and
(360) 629-4842
9727 271st Street NW
Stanwood, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse treatment
Types of Care
Outpatient

Data Provided by:
Assessment and Treatment Associates
(360) 554-8067
211 Taylor Street
Port Townsend, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
Dellamas and Associates
(360) 299-2750
1008 5th Street
Anacortes, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents
Language Services
Spanish

Data Provided by:
Phoenix Recovery Services
(360) 848-8437
1601 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Seniors/older adults, Pregnant/postpartum women, Women

Data Provided by:
Compass Health Coupeville
(360) 678-5555
105 NW 1st Street
Coupeville, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders

Data Provided by:
Gray Wolf Ranch
(360) 385-5505
4148 Hastings Avenue West
Port Townsend, WA
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, Persons with HIV/AIDS, Gays and Lesbians, Men

Data Provided by:
Safe Harbor Recovery Center
(360) 385-3866
686 Lake Street
Port Townsend, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, DUI/DWI offenders

Data Provided by:
SKAGIT Recovery Center
(360) 428-7835
1905 Continental Place
Mount Vernon, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse , Detoxification
Types of Care
Residential short-term treatment (30 days or less), Residential long-term treatment (more than 30 days), Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, Women, Men, Criminal justice clients

Data Provided by:
Sea Mar Substance Abuse and MH
(360) 542-8920
2500 East College Way
Mount Vernon, WA
Services Provided
Substance abuse
Types of Care
Outpatient
Special Programs/Groups
Adolescents, Seniors/older adults, DUI/DWI offenders
Language Services
ASL or other assistance for hearing impaired, Spanish

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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