Substance Use Disorder Treatment that Recognizes the Whole Person
A Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a medical condition that affects the brain and behavior, making it difficult for a person to control their use of drugs or alcohol—even when it causes harm. SUDs are complex, chronic illnesses that often require coordinated, long-term treatment and support.
At Federal City Recovery Services, we approach each individual with compassion, dignity, and a firm belief in their capacity for change. We understand that substance use is often intertwined with trauma, mental health challenges, housing instability, and other life stressors. That’s why we offer evidence-based, abstinence-focused care that addresses both the physical dependence and the emotional and behavioral drivers of substance use.
Federal City Recovery Services delivers a multi-dimensional model of care that integrates:
Behavioral therapies (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT, Motivational Interviewing)
Peer support and recovery coaching
Individual and group counseling
Medical oversight and care coordination
Relapse prevention planning
Continuity of care after discharge
Our programs are abstinence-oriented but flexible enough to meet clients where they are in their recovery journey. We work in partnership with clients to build a foundation for long-term sobriety, stability, and wellness.
Substances we treat
Alcohol
Also known as: Booze, liquor, beer, wine, spirits
What it is: A legal depressant that slows down brain and nervous system activity.
Risks: Liver damage, heart disease, blackouts, dependence, increased risk of injury or violence.
Treatment Focus: Medically managed withdrawal/Detox, relapse prevention, and long-term coping strategies for social triggers and emotional regulation.
Opioids
Common examples: Oxycodone (Oxy), Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Morphine, Fentanyl, Percocet, Heroin, illicit fentanyl, “street percs,” “blue tops”
What they are: Drugs that bind to opioid receptors to relieve pain and create a sense of euphoria.
Risks: Overdose, respiratory failure, severe withdrawal, long-term brain changes, co-occurring mental illness.
Treatment Focus: Medically managed withdrawal/Detox, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), therapy for trauma and pain, housing and social support, recovery coaching.
Depressants
Common examples: Benzodiazepines (Benzos, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin), Barbiturates, Sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta)
Also known as: Downers, benzos, tranqs
What they are: Substances that slow brain activity and produce calming or sedating effects.
Risks: Dependency, blackouts, memory loss, overdose (especially when mixed with alcohol), severe withdrawal.
Treatment Focus: Tapering plans, behavioral therapy, anxiety and insomnia treatment, relapse prevention strategies.
Stimulants
Common examples: Cocaine (Coke, Blow), Crack Cocaine (Rock); Prescription stimulants: Adderall, Ritalin (R-balls), Concerta; Methamphetamine (Meth, Ice, Crystal, Tina)
What they are: Drugs that increase alertness, energy, and dopamine activity in the brain.
Risks: Heart attack, paranoia, aggression, sleep disruption, addiction, depression after withdrawal.
Treatment Focus: Dopamine stabilization, CBT for impulsivity, sleep and mood regulation, trauma-informed care.
Hallucinogens
Common examples: PCP, dippers, LSD, psilocybin, ketamine, DMT, mescaline
Also known as: Acid, shrooms, special K, angel dust, boat/loveboat, wet, butt-naked, tripping
What they are: Substances that alter perception, mood, and thought, often causing hallucinations, distorted reality, and impaired judgment.
Risks: Psychosis, flashbacks (substance-induced psychosis), anxiety or panic attacks, accidental injury, and long-term cognitive or emotional effects.
Treatment Focus: Psychiatric evaluation, trauma-informed therapy, harm-reduction education, and integrated mental health care.
Inhalants
Common examples: Solvents (paint thinner, glue, gasoline); Aerosols (spray paint, hairspray); Gases (nitrous oxide, freon, whipped cream chargers)
Also known as: Whippets, huffing, sniffing
What they are: Substances inhaled to produce mind-altering effects by starving the brain of oxygen.
Risks: Brain damage, sudden sniffing death syndrome, heart failure, liver and kidney damage.
Treatment Focus: Neurological evaluation, long-term behavioral therapy, education on risk, and social reintegration support.
Other Behavioral Addictions
Common examples: Gambling, Compulsive Behaviors, Tobacco Use Disorder
Also known as: Process addictions, compulsive behaviors, non-substance addictions
What they are: Repetitive behaviors that activate the brain’s reward system, leading to loss of control, neglect of responsibilities, and significant distress—even in the absence of a substance.
Risks: Financial ruin, relationship breakdowns, social isolation, anxiety, depression, and impaired daily functioning.
Treatment Focus: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relapse prevention strategies, group support, and addressing underlying emotional or psychological drivers.
Synthetics & Emerging Substances
Common examples: Synthetic cannabinoids ; Synthetic opioids; Synthetic cathinones; Kratom (plant-based opioid-like stimulant); Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS),
Also known as: Fake weed, bath salts, gas station dope, Spice, K2, kratom, blues (when counterfeit)
What they are: Man-made or unregulated substances created to mimic known drugs
Risks: Mental impacts, seizures, organ damage, and long-term cognitive impairment.
Treatment Focus: Medically managed withdrawal/Detox, stabilization of psychiatric symptoms, cognitive and behavioral therapy, education on the risks of synthetic drug use, and long-term recovery planning including peer support and social reintegration.
Are you ready to get help?
Our team is here to help you or a loved one take the first step. Contact us today to speak with a care coordinator and learn how Federal City Recovery Services can support your path to recovery.