Substance Use and Addiction

Addiction is a common term, but what exactly is it? Addiction is a brain disease that causes an individual to continue using a substance even though the individual wants to stop or physically can’t stop. Addiction is not a moral failing of the individual. There is a tremendous amount of neuroscience and brain chemistry needed to understand what is actually taking place in addiction.  These resources provide deeper information regarding the science of addiction, how addiction does not discriminate, and how to support someone with addiction.

Science of Addiction
Supporting Someone with an Addiction

These resources give an overview of alcohol and drug use, as well as commonly abused drug and their effects.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse
Commonly Abused Drugs Chart

Consuming drugs and/or alcohol does not mean that the individual is addicted to the substance. In order to determine if treatment is needed, an individual would need to have an assessment completed to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria. One quick tool to determine if you need an assessment would be to complete the attached quick screening tools. If you complete a screening and it shows that an assessment may be needed, contact any of the treatment providers listed under the Treatment Providers Tab. If you would like to talk to someone about your drug use prior to completing an assessment, please feel free to schedule an appointment with a Counselor or Psychologist at your Campus’ Counseling and Psychological Services Center.

Addiction Assessment
Multiple Substances Screening: Adult
Multiple Substances Screening: Adolescents
Video Shorts
Counseling & Psychological Services

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) "Talk. They Hear You." campaign gives adults tips on how to discuss substance use with youths. Check it out for helpful videos on how to start a conversation and many more amazing resources.

Talk. They Hear You.

How to Help Someone
SAMHSA’s National Helpline

Support Groups
Support groups are great resources to help individuals realize that substance addiction impacts the entire family and that support is available. Each of the resources below has a different focus.

Alcoholics Anonymous
Al-Anon & Alateen Family & Friend Groups
Cocaine Anonymous
Narcotics Anonymous
Nar-Anon Family & Friend Groups
Gamblers Anonymous
Overeaters Anonymous
Virtual Recovery Programs

Peer Support
Peer Support is another way to get assistance from a person with lived experience! Learn more about becoming certified as a Peer Supporter for substance use disorders and other mental health diagnoses.

Heroin Addiction and Help

Project DAWN

What is Vaping?
All about E-Cigarettes & Vaping
What are the Health Effects of Vaping?
Quit Smoking/Vaping
Resources to Quit Smoking/Vaping
For Health Professionals

• Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board of Cuyahoga County (ADAMHS), 216-241-3400
• Bellefaire Jewish Children’s Bureau, 216-932-2800
• Cathy's House (Sober living house, Medina County), 330-764-4486
• Catholic Charities, 216-391-2030
• City of Cleveland Department of Public Health, 216-664-6666
• Cleveland Treatment Center, 216-861-4246
• Community Action Against Addiction (CAAA),216-881-0765
• Community Assessment and Treatment Services, 216-441-0200
• Edna House for Women, 216-281-7751
• Hitchcock Center for Women, Inc, 216-421-0662
• Murtis Taylor Multi-Services Center, 216-283-4400
• New Directions, 216-591-0324
• Northern Ohio Recovery Association, 216-391-6672
• Ohio Guidestone, 1-800-639-4974
• Ohio Recovery Housing, 614-453-5133
• ORCA House, 216-231-3772
• Recovery Resources, 216-431-4131
• Salvation Army, 216-781-3773
• Scarborough House for Women, 216-781-5538
• Signature Health Addiction Recovery Services, 440-578-8200
• Stella Maris, 216-781-0550
• Women’s Recovery Center, 216-651-1450