What is Substance Abuse Treatment?
Substance abuse treatment is supportive care that helps you cut back or stop, manage cravings, and address what is driving the use. You are not alone. Substance abuse is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing, and care without judgment makes a real difference. For many people, that means medication management, paired with therapy and matched to where they are right now.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, so we focus on steady progress and reducing harm, coordinating with therapists or higher levels of care when that is what you need.
Care is led by Dr. Aminata Kamara, a board-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner (PMHNP), alongside our clinical team.
Does this sound like you?
Substance abuse is more than a lack of willpower. Day to day, it can feel like:
You have tried to cut back or stop, but it has not lasted
You keep using even though it is causing problems at work, home, or with health
You use alcohol or drugs to cope with stress, anxiety, or hard feelings
You have lost some control over how much or how often you use
You are experiencing shame and secrecy around how much you're using
How Substance Abuse Shows Up
Cravings and loss of control
Support for the urges and the sense that use has gotten ahead of you.
Co-occurring mental health
Treating the anxiety, depression, or trauma that often sits underneath substance use.
Medication support
Medications that can ease cravings and support recovery, where appropriate.
Relapse prevention
Building a plan and the early warning signs to help you hold onto your progress.
Coordination with other care
Working alongside your therapist or a higher level of care when you need more support.
How We Approach Your Care
We start by understanding you
We take time to understand your use, what you have already tried, and what you want, without judgment.
We explain what we find
We treat the use and what is underneath it, so cravings ease and the reasons you reached for substances get addressed.
We find the right medication
When medication can help with cravings or a co-occurring condition, we prescribe and adjust it carefully.
We pair medication with support
Medication is one piece, and we coordinate with your therapist and, when you want, your family.
We stay with you
Recovery is ongoing, so we keep checking in, watch for warning signs, and adjust as life changes.
As part of a thorough evaluation, we order baseline labs to help rule out other medical causes for your symptoms
We're a good fit for you, if:
You're a teen or adult whose substance abuse has become hard to control
Substance abuse is straining your health, work, or relationships
You want judgment-free support and help treating what is underneath the use
Life After Treating Your Substance Abuse
The cravings lose their grip, and you get more say over your choices.
You stop building your days around using, and start getting time back.
The shame and secrecy ease as you get honest support.
Your health, work, and relationships get room to recover.
You feel steadier. More in charge of your own life.
You learn your triggers and early warning signs, so a slip is less likely to become a setback.
How to Get Started
1
Reach Out
Schedule a visit by phone or through the contact page. No referral needed.
2
Meet Your Provider
Meet with our team to talk through your symptoms and build a plan that fits your life.
3
Begin Your Plan
Start treatment and medication management built around your goals, with ongoing follow-up.
Substance Abuse Treatment FAQs
How is substance abuse treated by a psychiatric provider?
We focus on medication management and treating co-occurring conditions like anxiety or depression, coordinated with therapy. We tailor the plan to where you are and adjust over time.
Do I have to be ready to quit completely to start?
No. We meet you where you are, whether you want to stop, cut back, or just talk it through. Care is judgment-free and built around your goals.
What if past medications haven't worked?
That's common. The right plan is often a matter of fit. We monitor closely, adjust as needed, and can use pharmacogenomic (GeneSight) testing to help guide medication choice.
Can I get substance abuse treatment online in North Dakota or Minnesota?
Yes. We provide care in person in Fargo and online anywhere in North Dakota and Minnesota. For some situations, an in-person visit or a higher level of care may be recommended.
Does insurance cover substance abuse treatment?
We accept most major insurance plans across North Dakota and Minnesota, along with self-pay.