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Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects millions of individuals and their families every year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in 2021, “61.2 million people (or 21.9 percent of the population) used illicit drugs.” Early intervention and treatment is the best way to reduce the effects of substance misuse on individuals and families.

Avery Lane is a treatment center for women struggling with alcohol and drug abuse, mental health disorders, and trauma. The dedicated clinicians use evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies to help women recover and heal from substance abuse and co-occurring disorders.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Common Forms of Substance Use Disorder

Alcohol abuse is a leading cause of death in America. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), “Each year in the United States, more than 140,000 people (approximately 97,000 men and 43,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes.” Some other substances people commonly misuse include:

  • Marijuana and other hallucinogens
  • Opioids and prescription painkillers
  • Sedatives
  • Stimulants
  • Bath salts
  • Party drugs
  • Prescription medications

In many cases, illicit drugs are mixed with other drugs or substances, making it difficult to anticipate the effects and increasing the risk of severe injury, illness, or overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “In 2020, 91,799 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States. The age-adjusted rate of overdose deaths increased by 31% from 2019 (21.6 per 100,000) to 2020 (28.3 per 100,000).” Abusing any substance is dangerous. Early intervention and professional recovery programs provide the best outcomes for women diagnosed with SUD.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Many individuals with SUD have co-occurring conditions, and some individuals misuse multiple substances simultaneously or alternate between using various substances. Drug and alcohol misuse are common comorbidities. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the most common forms of substance misuse in America. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in 2021, “28.6 million adults ages 18 and older (11.3% in this age group) had AUD.” Avery Lane treats AUD using energy healing, evidence-based therapies, psychoeducation, and other treatment services. All forms of SUD and any co-occurring disorders are treated simultaneously to reduce the risk of relapse.

Side Effects of Substance Use Disorder

The far-reaching impact of addictive behaviors makes community education essential. People diagnosed with SUD often have undiagnosed mental health issues or untreated trauma affecting their ability to make healthy decisions. Treatment programs work by addressing the cause of addictive behaviors and educating families about the realities of substance misuse.

Avery Lane helps women connect their maladaptive behaviors to the symptoms and side effects of SUD, including:

  • Legal problems and criminal charges
  • Low self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Compulsions and other mental health issues
  • Relationship problems and difficulty navigating social interactions
  • Severe and long-lasting health issues

Alcohol misuse causes significant physical and psychological side effects. The prevalence of alcohol makes it more dangerous and the consequences more noticeable. Studies have shown that “Alcohol abusers generally are not dependent on alcohol.” However, frequent bingeing or over-drinking creates “habits of drinking alcohol that result in harm to health, ability to work behavior, and judgment.” Many people have difficulty recognizing when they fail to drink in moderation.

Recognizing the Signs of Substance Use Disorder

Early intervention reduces the risk of experiencing severe or permanent side effects due to chronic substance abuse. Recognizing the signs of alcohol and drug misuse makes it easier to know when to seek help.

Some of the most common signs of substance abuse include:

  • Unexplained changes in appetite and accompanying weight gain or loss
  • Unusual aggression, irritation, or anger
  • Social withdrawal and isolation
  • Difficulty maintaining relationships and personal responsibilities
  • Secretive behavior, including creating hidden stashes of drugs or alcohol
  • Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities or hobbies
  • Inability to focus during everyday activities
  • Frequent extreme mood swings and changes in energy
  • Uncharacteristic lack of personal hygiene
  • Paranoid thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors
  • Risk-taking or self-harming behaviors
  • Wearing layers of clothing or long sleeves and pants even during hot weather
  • Frequent unexplained or excused injuries or scars
  • Inability to stop drinking or consuming other substances
  • Jaundice (yellow coloring around skin and eyes)
  • Muscle tremors or spasms

Individuals who notice their loved ones exhibiting multiple signs of potential substance misuse can provide them with resources to treatment centers or other facilities. An official medical diagnosis of SUD is essential to ensure people struggling with substance misuse receive the most effective treatments. Women concerned about signs of substance abuse can contact Avery Lane and undergo comprehensive assessments and testing.

Treatment Options at Avery Lane

Avery Lane offers evidence-based and alternative holistic therapies to women with AUD, SUD, and co-occurring mental health disorders. The dedicated clinicians provide women a safe space to direct their own recovery using the resources and guidance of a compassionate care team. Women in recovery rely on Avery Lane to provide effective and relevant treatment options. The personalized services ensure clients feel heard and respected. All women in treatment can choose from multiple programs, allowing them to select ones that meet their personal, cultural, and spiritual needs and preferences. Everyone deserves access to high-quality recovery services and support. Avery Lane ensures women have the tools to successfully establish and maintain sobriety.

Alcohol and drug abuse affect individuals, families, and communities. Mental health and addiction education reduce the risk of developing SUD. Avery Lane provides psychoeducational counseling and evidence-based treatment to women recovering from substance misuse. Learn more by calling us today at (800) 270-2406.

Contact Avery Lane Admissions Today

Summer Lan Franco
MA, MFT-t, Primary Therapist

Summer Lan Franco loves working with people to facilitate recovery from substance use disorders, disordered eating, mental health issues and complex trauma. She earned her BS in Nutrition and Food Science from California State University Chico and MS in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University of California. She has worked in community-based and private practice settings. Her approach is personable and sincere. Summer believes in helping people rediscover their true selves by uncovering barriers that stand in the way. Her warmth and earnest interest in others’ wellbeing are always present in the work she does with people seeking help. She has experience with trauma recovery, substance abuse recovery, codependency, family issues, disordered eating, treatment for anxiety and depression, and working with personality disorders.

Alaina Dunér
Office Manager, Sound Healing Group Facilitator, Reiki Master

Alaina Dunér is a Sonoma County native. She studied sociology and outdoor adventure programming for two years at Loyola University of New Orleans and Warren Wilson College. In 2016 Alaina was on a recreational skydive and had a crash landing that resulted in her fracturing multiple vertebrae in her spine. Since her accident, Alaina has emersed herself in understanding the nuances and complexities of health and spirituality. She is passionate about supporting clients through Reiki and Sound. Since taking a pause from university, Alaina has become a certified Reiki Master Teacher in the Tibetan Usui system, an Ayurvedic yoga instructor, a health coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and a trauma informed sound facilitator. At the end of 2022 Alaina will attend Southern Utah University to complete her bachelor’s in aerospace and aviation with an emphasis on rotary flight.

Sunnie Skillman
Energy Worker

Sunnie has worked within the field of Energy Psychology for over 20 years and has been trained in a number of healing modalities, including EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and Access Consciousness. She has been using the tools of Access Consciousness for 23 years, teaching classes and working with clients using various hands-on energy body work techniques. She specializes working with clients who have symptoms of PTSD and assisting in clearing where trauma is stored in the body.
Sunnie brings her personal experience with trauma healing as well as her kind and
caring energy to support the ladies interested in working with other healing modalities
at Avery Lane.

Nicole Collins,
AMFT, Primary Therapist

Nicole Collins entered the field of healing after receiving her BA from Colorado State University
in Human Services, which led her to work in domestic violence. Following her beliefs and
passion in the body-mind-spirit connection and the Intelligence of the Self-healing power, she
got her MS from Touro University in Vallejo. She believes that addiction, alcoholism,
depression, the things that push against your joy, calm, serenity, and sense of security, are
powerful and baffling. Still, there is something unique inside of you that is ready to push back
against it all. The fear, anxiety, depression, and trauma that press against your head and chest
are real, but they should not define you. She feels her role is to help you find the resources
within to overcome the challenges and suffering that life may bring. She specializes in trauma,
substance abuse, LGBTQIA+ community, matters of belonging, helping individuals heal in their
relationships within themselves. In your work together, she will meet you where you are and
support you in reacquainting you, with all parts of yourself, including your inherent wisdom.

Erin Miller, RADT
Recovery Counselor

Erin is a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician, Certified Recovery Coach, and Certified Clinical
Trauma Specialist-A (Trauma and Addiction). She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology and Addiction Studies at Aspen University. Through her personal experience with
alcohol addiction and recovery, Erin was inspired to support others on their recovery journeys.
She brings kindness, compassion, and encouragement to her work at Avery Lane. Erin lives in
Sonoma County with her husband and their two adventurous children.

Laurel LeMohn
Recovery Counselor

is a Mendocino County native. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Sonoma State University in 2014 and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Dominican University. She has been a Recovery Counselor at Avery Lane since October, 2021, and works from a trauma-informed, psychodynamic, and humanistic lens. She has had a desire towards helping others since she was young and looks forward to working with you as you transition your life into one where you are thriving and proud to be living.