Addiction Is a Medical Condition

Addiction changes the brain. It affects the reward system, decision-making, impulse control, and stress response. This isn't weakness or a lack of willpower—it's biology. Decades of research have established addiction as a chronic medical condition, similar in many ways to diabetes or heart disease.

This understanding shapes how we approach treatment. We don't moralize. We don't lecture. We offer evidence-based medical treatment for a medical problem. For many people, this includes medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is the most effective approach we have for opioid and alcohol use disorders.

At the same time, addiction doesn't exist in isolation. Most people with substance use disorders also have underlying mental health conditions—depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD. These conditions often drive the addiction, and the addiction makes the mental health worse. At Brain Mind Harmony, Dr. Marcus is dual board-certified in both psychiatry and addiction psychiatry. This means we can treat everything together, with one doctor, rather than shuttling between providers who each see only part of the picture.

Substances & Behaviors We Treat

Alcohol

Alcohol use disorder ranges from mild to severe. If you're drinking more than you want to, having trouble cutting back, or experiencing consequences in your health, relationships, or work, treatment can help. We offer medication-assisted treatment with naltrexone (oral or injectable Vivitrol), which reduces cravings and the rewarding effects of alcohol. For patients needing medical detoxification support, we can help coordinate care.

Opioids (Heroin, Painkillers, Fentanyl)

Opioid use disorder is deadly. Fentanyl has made the drug supply more dangerous than ever. Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine (Suboxone, Sublocade) or naltrexone (Vivitrol) is the most effective treatment available—it reduces overdose deaths by more than half and helps people stabilize their lives. We offer all three medications and will help determine which is right for your situation.

Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan)

Benzodiazepine dependence often develops gradually, sometimes from legitimate prescriptions for anxiety. Stopping abruptly can be dangerous—even life-threatening. We provide medically supervised tapering, helping you reduce your dose safely over time while addressing the underlying anxiety that often drives benzodiazepine use.

Cocaine & Methamphetamine

Stimulant use disorders don't have FDA-approved medications, but treatment still works. We use therapy approaches including contingency management and cognitive behavioral therapy, address co-occurring mental health conditions, and help manage the depression and fatigue that often accompany stimulant withdrawal.

Marijuana

Cannabis use disorder is real, even if marijuana is now legal in New Jersey. If you're finding it hard to cut back, using more than you intend, or experiencing problems in your life related to marijuana use, treatment is available. We approach cannabis dependence without judgment—many people find it difficult to stop despite wanting to.

Gambling

Gambling disorder is a behavioral addiction that can be as destructive as any substance. It responds to similar treatment approaches: therapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy), medication for co-occurring conditions, and addressing the underlying emotional needs that gambling fulfills.

Smoking Cessation

Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances. We offer smoking cessation treatment including medication options (Chantix/varenicline, bupropion) and behavioral support.

Methadone Dependence

If you're currently on methadone maintenance and want to transition to office-based treatment with Suboxone or Subutex, we can help. Transitioning from methadone requires careful medical management due to methadone's long half-life, but many patients successfully make this change. We can also support patients seeking to taper off methadone entirely.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and therapy. For opioid and alcohol use disorders, MAT is the gold standard—the most effective treatment we have. Here's an honest look at the options:

Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone)

Suboxone is a daily film or tablet that contains buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist. It occupies the brain's opioid receptors, preventing withdrawal and cravings without producing the high of full agonists like heroin or fentanyl. Most patients can stabilize quickly and focus on rebuilding their lives.

How it works: Daily sublingual film or tablet, taken at home after initial stabilization.

Pros: Highly effective, can be prescribed from the office, allows normal functioning.

Cons: Requires daily adherence, can be diverted (though the naloxone component discourages misuse).

Subutex (Buprenorphine)

Subutex contains buprenorphine without the naloxone found in Suboxone. It works the same way—occupying opioid receptors to prevent withdrawal and cravings. Subutex is sometimes preferred for patients who cannot tolerate naloxone or in specific clinical situations such as pregnancy.

How it works: Daily sublingual tablet, taken at home after initial stabilization.

Pros: Same effectiveness as Suboxone, appropriate for patients who can't take naloxone.

Cons: Higher diversion potential than Suboxone, requires careful patient selection.

Sublocade (Extended-Release Buprenorphine)

Sublocade is a monthly injection of buprenorphine, administered in the office. It provides steady medication levels throughout the month, eliminating the need for daily dosing and reducing diversion risk.

How it works: Monthly abdominal injection in the office.

Pros: No daily medication to remember, consistent drug levels, less diversion potential, can't be "forgotten" during difficult periods.

Cons: Requires monthly office visits, injection site reactions possible, not appropriate for everyone.

Vivitrol (Extended-Release Naltrexone)

Vivitrol is a monthly injection that blocks opioid receptors entirely. Unlike Suboxone and Sublocade, it's not an opioid at all—it's an antagonist that blocks the effects of opioids (and alcohol). It's an option for people who have completed detox and want additional protection against relapse.

How it works: Monthly intramuscular injection.

Pros: Non-opioid, also effective for alcohol use disorder, monthly dosing.

Cons: Requires complete detox before starting (7-14 days opioid-free), can precipitate severe withdrawal if opioids are still in system, blocks pain medication in emergencies.

Which medication is right for you? This depends on your specific situation, substance use history, treatment history, and preferences. We'll discuss the options and make a recommendation, but ultimately the choice is yours.

Therapy for Addiction

Medication is important, but it's usually not enough on its own. Therapy helps address the thoughts, behaviors, and underlying issues that contribute to addiction.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT for addiction focuses on identifying triggers, developing coping strategies, and changing the thought patterns that lead to use. It's practical and skill-based—you learn specific techniques you can use in high-risk situations.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

MET doesn't tell you what to do. Instead, it helps you find your own motivation for change by exploring the discrepancy between your values and your behavior. It's particularly useful early in treatment when ambivalence about recovery is high.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Addiction often serves a function—numbing painful emotions, filling an emptiness, managing anxiety. Psychodynamic therapy explores these underlying issues, helping you understand why you use and develop healthier ways of meeting those needs.

Family Therapy

Addiction affects the whole family. Family therapy can help repair relationships, improve communication, and create a home environment that supports recovery.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

If you have both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition, you're not unusual—you're the norm. Studies show that roughly half of people with a substance use disorder also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. Common combinations include:

Depression and alcohol — Drinking to numb low mood, which then worsens depression
Anxiety and benzodiazepines — Prescribed for anxiety, then dependence develops
PTSD and opioids — Using to escape traumatic memories
ADHD and stimulants — Sometimes prescription, sometimes street drugs
Bipolar disorder and multiple substances — Self-medicating mood swings

Most treatment programs and providers treat these as separate problems—see a psychiatrist for your depression, an addiction specialist for your drinking. But they're not separate. They feed each other. At Brain Mind Harmony, Dr. Marcus treats both. One comprehensive evaluation, one treatment plan, one therapeutic relationship. This integrated approach leads to better outcomes for both conditions.

Confidentiality

Addiction treatment records receive special federal protection under 42 CFR Part 2. This means:

Your addiction treatment information cannot be shared without your specific written consent
This protection is stronger than standard medical privacy (HIPAA)
Your employer, family members, and others cannot access your records without your permission
Even other healthcare providers cannot see your addiction treatment records without consent

We take confidentiality seriously. Seeking help for addiction is difficult enough without worrying about who might find out. Your privacy is protected.

What to Expect from Treatment

Addiction treatment is a process, not an event. Here's what realistic expectations look like:

Initial Phase

The first priority is stabilization—stopping active use, managing withdrawal if needed, and starting medication if appropriate. This phase can feel chaotic as your brain and body adjust. Most people feel significantly better within the first few weeks on medication-assisted treatment.

Early Recovery

Once stabilized, the work of recovery begins. This involves regular appointments, therapy, and building the habits and support systems that sustain recovery. Cravings may still occur but become more manageable. This phase typically lasts several months.

Ongoing Recovery

Recovery is a long-term process. Many people continue medication for years—some indefinitely. This isn't failure; it's appropriate treatment for a chronic condition. Appointments become less frequent as stability increases. The goal is a life where addiction no longer controls your choices.

Relapse

Relapse is common—not inevitable, but common. It doesn't mean treatment failed. It means the treatment plan needs adjustment. If you relapse, tell us. We'll help you get back on track without judgment.

Ready to Get Help?

If you're struggling with addiction—whether to alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other substances—effective treatment is available. Medication-assisted treatment saves lives. Call us at (732) 530-3122 or request an appointment online.

Most major insurance accepted. Confidential. Same-week appointments often available for addiction concerns.

Request an Appointment Call (732) 530-3122