Drugs and alcohol are often glamorized in the media, yet their use can quietly destroy

lives—damaging relationships, careers, health, and finances, and leading to legal

trouble or even death. Addiction can develop slowly, and many don’t realize they’ve lost

control until it’s too late. Substance use disorder occurs when people continue using

despite the harm it causes, often alongside mental health conditions like anxiety,

depression, PTSD, or ADHD. This combination increases the risk of serious consequences,

including incarceration and suicide.

In 2022, 49 million Americans had a substance use disorder, but only 10% received

treatment—and many programs fail to offer proven medications. Non-substance

addictions, like gambling or social media, can be just as harmful, affecting mood, brain

function, and daily life. We can help.

At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness in Golden and Greenwood Village, Colorado, our

team of board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists offer

skillful and compassionate treatment for addictions. We will work with you to design a

holistic treatment plan combining up to date psychiatric treatment including

medications, psychotherapy, and evidence based integrative care. This holistic

approach can effectively treat your addictions and any co-occurring psychiatric

disorders, while helping you work toward optimal health and wellness. 

If you would like to learn more about treatment for addiction at Owl & Eagle Health and

Wellness in Golden or Greenwood Village, Colorado, Contact Us with questions or Book

Now to schedule an appointment today. 303-736-9697

Addiction Q&A

What causes Addiction?

Addiction is caused by four main factors:

1) Genetics: Studies show that 40% to 60% of the vulnerability to addiction is

attributable to genetics.

2) Trauma and psychological stressors: Adverse experiences such as poverty,

violence, abuse, and discrimination increase risk for addiction.

3) Exposure: If you see important people in your life engaging in addictive behaviors,

you are at higher risk for addiction yourself.

4) Brain Changes: Substance use cause reduced sensitivity in the brain’s reward

system, which includes structures and networks involving dopamine. This is why people

with addictions stop getting satisfaction or pleasure from regular activities, and why

they need more and more of the addictive substance or activity to get the same

effects. At the same time, when people abstain from addictions, stress related

neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, corticotropin releasing factor, and

dynorphin are activated. This causes an intensified reaction to stress, as well as

withdrawal symptoms, leading to negative emotions and increased emotional

reactivity. Addiction also causes “cravings” or intense feelings of desire to use.

This is why it is so hard for people with addictions to stop.

What are the symptoms of Addiction?

Addiction involves the following symptoms:

- Using more frequently or for longer than intended

- Wanting to stop, but not being able to stop, or being able to stop but not

being able to avoid starting again

- Spending increasing time or energy on the addiction

- Spending increasing time recovering from “hangovers” or after-effects

- Having cravings for or strong urges to use

- Experiencing problems in life, such as difficulty taking care of

responsibilities like bills, or having trouble in school, at work, or in

relationships due to using, but continuing to use anyway

- Neglecting friendships, romantic relationships, social engagements, or

hobbies due to use

- Engaging in risky behaviors, like going into dangerous situations or

interacting with dangerous people when using, or driving under the

influence

- Continuing to use, despite the realization that using is causing emotional,

physical, or legal problems

- Needing increasing quantity or intensity to get the same feeling

- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, like anxiety, mood changes, sweating,

shaking, GI distress, or other uncomfortable effects when abstaining

Accurate diagnosis can be essential to creating an effective treatment plan.

The board certified psychiatric nurse practitioners at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness

have experience and expertise in diagnosing and treating all types of addiction.

What are the consequences of Addiction?

Addictions have many serious negative consequences. They cause mood changes,

anxiety, erratic behavior, and loss of self-respect. They cause difficulty in relationships

with friends, family, and romantic partners. They can cause problems in school, derail

careers, damage finances, and ruin reputations. They can lead to additional health

problems, accidents, injuries, and even death.

Substance use disorders frequently lead to trouble with the law. Over 1 million drivers

are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs yearly. Over 470,000

incarcerated people reported committing their crimes in the process of obtaining

drugs, and about 1.16 million get arrested every year for the manufacture, sale, or

possession of drugs. About 30-40% of all inmates who committed violent offenses such

as child abuse, intimate partner violence, assault, rape, and murder were under the

influence of alcohol at the time of their crime, and another 40% were under the

influence of drugs.  

Alcohol impairment causes 30% of all traffic-related deaths, and about 28 people die

every day in car accidents involving an alcohol impaired driver. More than 70,000

people die annually from drug overdoses, and alcohol is even more deadly, directly

causing 95,150 deaths per year. People with alcohol or drug dependence are 5-6 times

more likely to die by suicide than non-users, and in those who also have a psychiatric

disorder, risk for suicide is an astonishing 13-18 times higher.

The consequences of non-substance addictions are less dire, but these addictions are

not entirely benign. In a study of people with smart phone addiction, 46% of

participants suffered from depression, 70% from anxiety, and 14% from sleep

disturbance. In a study of high school students with gaming disorder, approximately

33% had depressive symptoms and 20% had considered suicide. In those who gamed

for 5+ hours per day, 38% of females and 25% of males had engaged in suicidal

behavior. In a study of people with gambling addiction, 50% have had suicidal

thoughts, and approximately 17% have attempted suicide.

How is Addiction treated?

Treatment of substance use disorder can include medically supervised detoxification

(usually done in a hospital), partial hospitalization, residential treatment, and/or

outpatient treatment. Medications can be used to relieve cravings, or to deter use by

causing unpleasant symptoms or diminished “high” if drugs or alcohol are used.

Psychotherapy or counseling can help people understand the underlying factors that

led to the addiction, the damage being caused by the addiction, and the benefits of

stopping. Psychotherapy can also provide support in maintaining abstinence and in

repairing damaged relationships. Peer support programs can also help. In people with

both a substance use disorder and mental health problems, it is essential that

treatment address both issues. In this situation, partial hospitalization and residential

treatment should occur at facilities that offer “dual-diagnosis” programs. For those that

do not require or have completed higher levels of care, outpatient psychiatric

treatment can treat both mental health problems and substance use disorders.

Treatments for both psychiatric disorders and substance use disorder can include

psychiatric and addiction medications, psychotherapy, and support groups.

Treatment for non-substance addictions does not require abstinence, but works on

developing strategies for controlling use and avoiding negative consequences.

Medications such as antidepressants and anxiolytics can be helpful. Specialized

psychotherapy such as reality therapy, which encourages patients to focus on healthy

activities in real life, can be used in the treatment of internet, social media, gaming, and

smart phone addictions. Other non-substance addictions can be treated with

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), acceptance

and commitment therapy (ACT), and supportive and solution focused psychotherapy.

At Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, our team of board certified psychiatric nurse

practitioners use a holistic approach combining cutting edge medical treatments,

psychotherapy, and integrative treatments to maximize treatment efficacy. We will

perform a thorough diagnostic evaluation to identify addictions and any co-existing

psychiatric disorders, and will develop a personalized treatment program that can

include addiction medications, other psychiatric medications, psychotherapy, and

integrative care such as nutritional guidance, vitamins, supplements, exercise, sleep

hygiene, yoga, meditation, and breathwork.

Medications usually have very manageable side effects, and most resolve in the first

weeks of treatment. Genetic testing can help identify which medications are more or

less likely to be effective and well tolerated for you. Holistic treatment can help you

achieve meaningful recovery from addiction, while improving your health, function and

well being.

Please note: If you are dependent on alcohol, please do not stop abruptly without

medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal can cause dangerous and potentially deadly

symptoms including elevated heart rate and blood pressure, hallucinations, delirium,

and seizures. If you have stopped using alcohol and are experiencing any withdrawal

symptoms (even if they are not yet severe), please call 911 or go to the nearest

Emergency Room.

If you would like to learn more about psychiatric evaluation and holistic psychiatric

treatment for Addiction at Owl & Eagle Health and Wellness, Contact Us with questions

or Book Now to request an intake appointment today. Appointments are available

either in-person in our offices in Golden or Denver, or via telehealth anywhere in

Colorado. We look forward to meeting you!