Substance Use & Addiction
Substance use and addiction is a national health issue that affects millions of Americans every year. Addiction is an illness that impacts the individual but also their loved ones and family members. This page is meant to provide you with information surrounding addiction, including what exactly addiction is, what treatments are available locally as well as some supports and resources to assist family members with a loved one with addiction. Please feel free to reach out to a Counseling & Psychological Services member if you would like more information.
For Parents & Caregivers
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.
Alcohol & Drug Information
These resources give an overview of alcohol and drug use, as well as commonly abused drug and their effects.
What is 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 more than 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.
Do I Have an Alcohol/Drug Problem?
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.
Supporting Someone with a Substance Use Disorder
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 listed below have a different target.
Local Providers
- 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
- St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Behavioral, 216-363-2580
- 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