Treatment helps you stop using harmful substances like drugs or alcohol, so you can get healthy, feel better, and build a life without substances. Treatment is personalized to fit each person’s unique needs and can take place in different settings depending on the level of support that’s right for you. 

If you are pregnant or inject drugs, let your provider know right away – they can help you start treatment quickly and safely. 

Treatment may include:  

• Withdrawal management: a safe way to get rid of substances from your body and manage withdrawal symptoms. 
• Therapy: one-on-one or group sessions with a counselor or therapist to help you understand your substance use and develop healthier ways of thinking and coping. 
• Medications: using medicine prescribed by a medical provider to help reduce cravings or withdrawal symptoms. 
• Outpatient or residential programs: you can receive care while living at home (outpatient), or you may stay in a treatment center (residential) for more intensive support. Sometimes people need to start treatment in a hospital and then transition to an outpatient or residential program. 
• Ongoing support: recovery doesn’t end after treatment. Continued support- like counseling and support groups- can help you stay on track with your recovery and connected to others. 

Outpatient programs provide assessment and counseling services by licensed clinical providers. You might have one-on-one sessions with a counselor, group meetings, or both. Sessions usually happen one or more times a week while you continue living at home.  

Medications for opioid use disorder are a special kind of outpatient treatment program. Medication is an effective treatment for people with opioid use disorder and is often used with outpatient counseling, recovery services, or other supports. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are available around Vermont.  

Hubs, also called opioid treatment programs, are programs that specialize in treating opioid use disorder, meaning all Hub staff focus on substance use treatment. Hubs prescribe methadone (Methadose®, Dolophine®), buprenorphine (Subutex®, Suboxone®, Sublocade®) and naltrexone (Vivitrol®).  

Spokes, or office-based opioid treatment programs, prescribe buprenorphine and naltrexone for opioid use disorder but cannot prescribe methadone. Spokes services may be provided in primary care or family medicine practices, or through programs that specialize in treating opioid use disorder.  Learn more about Vermont’s Hub and Spoke system. 

Intensive outpatient programs provide a higher level of support than standard outpatient programs. If you are receiving care through an intensive outpatient program, you might receive treatment for 2 to 3 hours at a time, 3 days a week, while living at home. 

Residential programs offer counseling and group services while you live away from home in a treatment center. The length of time you spend at a residential program will depend on your needs and what is best for you. Most people spend 2 to 3 weeks, but your treatment will be personalized to you. 

Treatment looks different for everyone, and there is a process to help determine what approach is right for you. VT Helplink can support you at every step. 

1. Assessment 
   An assessment is often the first step in treatment. It helps you and your provider better understand your needs so you can decide together on the treatment plan that works best for you. Typically, these appointments are 30 minutes, and a specialist can make that intake appointment for you over the phone with select providers when you call the Helplink. 

2. Treatment plan 
   Your treatment plan outlines your personal goals, how you’ll work towards your goals (including recommended treatments and supports), and a timeline. It’s a flexible guide that can be updated as your needs change during treatment. 

3. Counseling and self-help groups 
   Counseling is a key part of many treatment plans. It can help you address your relationship with alcohol or other drugs and support your mental health. Self-help and group counseling options also offer connection with others who are going through similar experiences.  Many treatment programs encourage participation in self-help groups as an additional layer of support. 

Follow-up and continuing care 
Recovery doesn’t end when treatment ends – it’s a long-term journey. After your primary treatment is complete, you’ll have options for continuing care and recovery supports to help you maintain progress and stay connected.

Substance use can affect all areas of a person’s life, including health, relationships, work, and decision-making.  If you or someone you care about is using alcohol or other drugs, understanding how different substances impact individuals is an important first step. Everyone’s experience is different, and help is available. 

Alcohol  

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down how your brain communicates with your body. This can affect your mood, movement, and decision-making. Drinking before the age of 21, or drinking too much, can increase the risk of alcohol use disorder and other health problems such as heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, liver disease, and mental health problems.   

Opioids  

Opioids are a group of drugs that include prescription painkillers like oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and fentanyl, and the illicit drug heroin. When used under medical supervision, opioids can be a safe tool for managing pain. However, using more than prescribed, using someone else’s medication, or using non-prescription painkillers can increase the risk of dependence, overdose, or death. Opioids can slow or stop your breathing, especially when taken at high doses or when using illicit drugs where the dose is unclear. Injecting opioids also raises the risk of getting infections like Hepatitis C, HIV, and skin diseases. Learning how to prevent overdoses and use opioids more safely can help save lives and protect your health. Learn more about overdose prevention. 

Stimulants  

Stimulants speed up the body’s systems, often increasing energy, focus, heart rate, and blood pressure. Prescriptions stimulants can help treat conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy when used as directed by a medical professional. Other stimulants include cocaine and methamphetamine.  Misusing or taking stimulants when they aren’t prescribed for you can cause serious health issues such as high blood pressure, anxiety, paranoia, or damage to the nose, lungs, or digestive system.   

Cannabis 

Cannabis refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of the cannabis plant. It contains THC, a chemical that changes the way your brain functions. It can affect mood, movement, memory, and thinking. In teens and young adults, cannabis may impact brain development by changing how the brain builds connections between the areas that control thinking, memory, and learning. Like smoking tobacco, smoking cannabis can also irritate the lungs, cause breathing problems, and increase heart rate. THC can also affect child development during pregnancy and can be transferred through breastmilk, so people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use cannabis. Learn more about substance use while pregnant.