Resources

Understanding Substance Use

Many still believe that addiction is a failure of character, something that happens as a result of a lack of willpower. 
This could not be further from the truth.

Today, science has helped us understand substance use disorder as a treatable, chronic, medical disease.

Some people who use substances create a complex system of chemical relief and reward in the brain, which leads the whole body into cycles of cravings and dependency – or a substance use disorder. Similar to other conditions like heart disease and diabetes, risk for substance use can tie into genetic factors and external factors beyond your control. There is often a close tie between having a traumatic experience and substance use. Women may also develop a dependence earlier in their substance use than men. 

Fortunately, like many other health conditions, treatment options for substance use are available and often lead to long-term recovery.

Some symptoms include:

• Behavioral signs related to substance use like interpersonal conflicts, changes to mood or habit, declining mental health, legal and financial troubles 
• Physical signs like chemical tolerance, withdrawal, confusion, weight loss, and poor overall physical health 

If you see some of the signs above impacting your life, please know you are not alone. With help from healthcare professionals who specialize in substance use and mental health, you can find recovery. At Wayside, our staff isn’t here to judge but they are here to walk alongside you as you regain balance in your life and find healing. 

Why Trauma-Informed Treatment is the Key to Success

Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency.

Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency. 

In childhood, overwhelming stress can trigger the brain and body to adapt in order to stay safe and alive. It is very important that this adaptation take place—however, there can be serious consequences when the child becomes an adult and has little experience in forming healthy coping skills and safe relationships as a partner, mother, colleague or friend. Some women turn to using alcohol or drugs to deal with an overwhelming situation. 

Many women experience this complex intersection between trauma, mental health problems, physical illness and chemical dependency. Women with co-occurring mental health problems like depression, anxiety and PTSD are much more likely to become chemically dependent. More than 85% of the women we serve have experienced significant trauma in their lives and more than 60% have complex medical needs. 

Wayside has worked diligently over six decades to develop and sustain the expertise required to address the unique needs of women and families. While other facilities may help women address either their chemical health or their mental health, we believe that addressing both at once is the best path to long-term recovery from substance use disorder. 

Project ECHO

Wayside Maternal and Infant Health Webinars

Wayside hosted a long-standing free public education webinar series in partnership with Project ECHO* (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes).

Topics from healthcare and mental health experts include maternal and infant health factors such as:

and more. 

Past webinars are recorded and available on the Wayside YouTube channel.

Project ECHO is a movement to demonopolize knowledge and amplify capacity to provide best practice care. Wayside Project ECHO webinars focused on fostering collaboration between patients, community and health practitioners to deliver high-quality care to Black mothers, infants and their families. 

*Funded fully through the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MN DHS). Nothing in these materials constitutes a direct or indirect endorsement by SAMHSA or the MN DHS of content, services or policies.

Wayside Cares

How wayside is addressing maternal health disparities

Wayside Recovery Center understands that the maternal and infant mortality crisis cannot be adequately addressed without understanding and dismantling racism and bias in our medical and behavioral health systems. We also understand that the complexities of the crisis require community-based responses. This means not only addressing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and mental illness, but also recognizing the inequalities that persist across the behavioral health system.

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