Hero

Alternative Treatment For Substance Use

Trauma often lies at the root of addictive behavior. Stella's trauma-informed Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are dedicated to providing you with continued care throughout your treatment.

What is Substance Use?

Substance use refers to excessive, continued use, or misuse of substances, such as alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications. It can lead to adverse effects on the individual's physical health, like weight gain or weight loss; mental health, like mood swings and depression; and changes in social and professional lives. 

National data indicates large increases in many kinds of drug use in the United States since March 2020, the start of the pandemic.

For example, there have been large increases in alcohol sales in the US, based on sales data from liquor stores, and the emergence of online sales and home delivery of alcohol.¹ In a large survey of 832 participants, 60% reported increased drinking compared to the years before Covid.²

Addictive behavior is used to:

  • Escape mental suffering
  • Numb trauma symptoms 
  • Change one's mental state 

In addition, substances like alcohol and marijuana are often used to address trauma related sleeplessness and anxiety.

 

Sources: 

Survey conducted by the Nielsen Company - Pollard M.S., Tucker J.S., Green H.D. Changes in Adult Alcohol Use and Consequences during the COVI
Source: Grossman ER, Benjamin-Neelon SE, Sonnenschein S. Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Adults. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Dec 9;17(24):9

Biological Treatments For Substance Use

Through Stella's partnerships with addiction-focused treatment centers, Stella and its partners offer a comprehensive range of substance use treatment options to address many of the worst symptoms of trauma exposure and substance dependence.

Many of our patients have found that by addressing their trauma symptoms, and learning new skills like managing their personal triggers, they are able to overcome habitual addictive behavior and achieve long-lasting freedom from substance dependence.

Stella's advanced Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) protocol of two injections of local anesthetic on the same side of neck near a bundle of sympathetic nerves that can bring the fight-or-flight response back to its pre-trauma state.


 

 


In-office medically guided infusions that follow a responsible innovation approach paired with integration sessions to effectively treat mental health conditions, such as depression.

 

 

 

FDA-approved ketamine therapy for treatment resistant depression administered in office that targets symptoms of depression such as low mood, lack of pleasure in activities, feelings of hopelessness and more.

 

 

 


Non-invasive in-office treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses to reawaken the connections in the brain.

 

 


Work directly with Stella's Advanced Practice Provider to discover the most impactful relief through smart applications of safe and effective treatment modalities.

 


 

 

Stella Integration Sessions are built to optimize healing and growth by making meaning of ketamine infusion sessions and create individualized action plans that turn insights into growth.

 

 

 

Exploring PTSD/PTSI and Substance Use

In the "Better" podcast with Jimmy Blackmon, Dr. Shauna Springer, Stella's Chief Psychologist, talked about combat, post-traumatic stress "injury" and its relationship with substance and other debilitating psychological and physical symptoms.

video
Play Video
We measure success in lives changed

Substance Use Testimonials

Stella's substance use treatments allows patients to seamlessly access integrated care by using a variety of cutting-edge treatments.

video
Play Video
Dan

Dan returned home from Afghanistan severely injured and suffering from PTSD, which led to anxiety, depression, and anger issues that strained his relationships. His anger, frustration, and sadness were out of control and built a dependence on alcohol. After the Dual Sympathetic Reset and Ketamine Infusion Therapy from Stella, Dan felt extraordinary relief from his symptoms. The weight of his anxiety lifted, the tightness surrounding his chest was completely relieved, and his mission to begin a sober life was successful. Now months after the DSR and Ketamine Infusion Therapy, he still feels its positive effect and knows that, though his care journey is long, he knows he's worth the fight. 

video
Play Video
Tara

Tara was initially skeptical about treatments for trauma, especially for her experience with relinquishment trauma. However, after receiving treatment from Stella, she initially felt no impact but scheduled another treatment soon after. During her second treatment, she noticed an immediate impact, with her heart rate slowing and anxiety dissipating. Her stress continued to ease over the following days. Her dependence on Xanax in stressful situations has diminished. As a healthcare professional, Tara encourages others to explore the Stellate Ganglion Block for trauma and mental health challenges, as it has helped her feel "normal" and was "worth every penny."

video
Play Video
Savannah

Savannah had always been an anxious person since childhood. The untreated traumas in her family go back decades but one of the most traumatizing events she experienced was from a relationship in her late teens. Trauma symptoms like hypervigilance, hypersensitivity to external stimuli, and dangerous coping mechanisms crept in like binge drinking. Individual and group therapies helped, but only to a certain point. Since receiving the Dual Sympathetic Reset, an advanced  Stellate Ganglion Block, she doesn't feel the sense of impending doom, anxiety, and lack of sleep or focus. Her quality of life improved almost immediately and her binge drinking came to an end. 

 

Explore Resources

What is Nervous System Regulation & How to Calm an Overactive Nervous System

What is Nervous System Regulation & How to Calm an Overactive Nervous System

Read More
Explore All Resources

Substance Use Treatment Near You

Stella's innovative substance use treatments lead to life-changing results.

Back to Site