Madison, Wisconsin’s Premier Treatment Center for Addiction

Opening Winter 2025

Struggling with an addiction can leave a person feeling as though they have lost control of their life. It can impact every aspect of their day, often causing them to struggle to function with even the most basic tasks. At Shorewood Behavioral Health in Madison, Wisconsin, we understand the devastation addiction can cause, so we offer comprehensive addiction treatment for adolescents and adults. 

Understanding Addiction

Addiction to drugs and alcohol is something that can happen to anyone. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that developing an addiction does not mean that someone has had a moral failure. It does not mean that they lack willpower. Using drugs and alcohol changes the way the brain functions, meaning that an addiction can happen quickly and without intent. A person could experiment using drugs or alcohol without realizing how fast an addiction can develop.  

When someone uses a substance like drugs or alcohol for a long period of time and their body becomes dependent on the substance to function, it means that they have developed an addiction. They need more and more of the substance just to get through the day. 

Some people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol may experience a period of withdrawal if they are unable to use the substance. The symptoms of withdrawal can be painful, distressing, and sometimes very dangerous. The discomfort withdrawal causes is what frequently leads a person back to using the substance again, ultimately causing the cycle of addiction to continue. 

Fortunately, there is treatment available to help people put an end to their drug or alcohol use. At our Madison, Wisconsin, addiction treatment center, patients can develop the skills they need to stop using drugs and alcohol and prevent future relapse. 

Signs & Symptoms of Addiction

When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they will likely experience significant changes in how they think and act. Some addiction symptoms may not be easy to see, but there are some warning signs that the person’s family or other loved ones may notice.  

Signs and symptoms of addiction may include: 

  • Needing to use drugs or drink alcohol every day 
  • Having strong cravings that impact their ability to function normally 
  • Spending a lot of time alone 
  • Continuing to use drugs or alcohol even when negative things happen as a result 
  • Lying to family and friends about the frequency of their substance use 
  • Using substances in dangerous situations, such as when driving 
  • Spending a significant amount of time trying to find substances 
  • Stealing to have money to buy substances 
  • Going to various doctors to get multiple prescriptions for opioid, benzodiazepine, or stimulant medications when they are not needed for a legitimate medical reason 
  • Not being able to feel excitement or pleasure without using substances 
  • Using substances to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression 
  • Trying to end their substance use but not being able to 

Anyone who is experiencing any of these symptoms or showing any signs of addiction should get professional help as quickly as possible. Addiction is a dangerous disease, and getting treatment can be the difference between life and death. 

Risk Factors for Addiction

No one is immune to developing an addiction. However, some people may be at a greater risk for struggling with addiction than others. For example, while one person might be able to have a drink of alcohol and not think about having another drink for a long period of time, another person might have one drink of alcohol and begin thinking about it constantly.  

There is no one specific reason why someone might develop an addiction. It can be the result of a number of factors, including: 

  • Having poor coping skills 
  • Experiencing abuse or neglect 
  • Being exposed to trauma 
  • Having high levels of stress 
  • Family history of substance use and addiction 
  • Being involved in a peer group in which people use substances 
  • Taking prescription painkillers for medical reasons 
  • Having certain personality traits, like impulsivity 
  • Suffering from a mental health disorder 

Please note that just because a person may have experienced or struggled with any of these things, it does not necessarily mean that they will develop an addiction. But it is important to understand that these can be risk factors. 

Possible Effects of Addiction

When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol and does not receive addiction treatment, they are putting themselves at risk for experiencing many negative effects. The effects can be far-reaching and long-lasting and may include: 

  • Not performing well at work or school 
  • Not being able to keep a job 
  • Homelessness 
  • Strained relationships with family and friends 
  • Social isolation 
  • Medical problems 
  • Legal trouble 
  • Financial issues 
  • Not being able to take care of daily responsibilities 
  • Poor hygiene 
  • Memory problems 
  • Difficulty thinking and processing information 
  • Poor judgment 

Additionally, when people are consistently using substances, they are putting themselves at risk for experiencing an overdose, which can be fatal. 

Therapies Used in Addiction Treatment

There are countless benefits to getting addiction treatment. It can help you not only regain control of your mind and your behaviors but also learn ways to prevent relapse.  

At our addiction treatment center in Madison, Wisconsin, we believe that every person who is battling an addiction has the ability to heal. We also believe that to find healing, people must have access to comprehensive, personalized treatment that meets them where they are on their recovery journeys. For this reason, we provide all our patients with individualized treatment plans that are tailored to meet their needs and help them achieve their treatment goals. 

Our patients’ individualized addiction treatment plans may include the following: 

  • Group therapy: Group therapy is the main method of treatment we use at our addiction treatment center. Patients take part in multiple group therapy sessions throughout the day where they may discuss topics like healthy boundaries, trauma, self-esteem, coping skills, and relapse prevention. The sessions are led by counselors, therapists, nurses, and mental health technicians and include process groups, nursing groups, goal-setting groups, and activity groups. While in group therapy, patients have the unique opportunity to meet with other individuals who may also be struggling with addiction concerns. Suffering from an addiction can be very isolating, but coming together with other people who are facing similar challenges can help patients feel supported and less alone. This can serve to increase their chances of being successful in recovery. 
  • Experiential therapies: Experiential therapies give patients a chance to participate in therapeutic activities outside of traditional talk therapy. This can give them an opportunity to explore their creative side and express themselves in a different way as they process their experiences. At our addiction treatment center, patients may take part in art therapy and music therapy. These therapies are led by experienced professionals, including music therapists, art therapists, and mental health technicians. 
  • Medication management services: Not all patients have medication included in their individualized treatment plans. However, patients who are struggling with addictions and are also suffering from co-occurring mental health concerns may benefit from taking certain prescription medications. If this is part of their treatment plan, they may meet with a nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, and pharmacist six of the seven days they are in treatment. If they receive care at our addiction treatment center for more or less than seven days, the number of meetings they have changes accordingly. Staff members monitor the patient to make sure that the medication is effective, and they make any changes if necessary. 

Our team also provides medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which is a treatment option that has proved to be successful in helping people who have opioid addictions. Eligibility to receive MAT is determined on a case-by-case basis. Patients who do receive MAT can meet with nurse practitioners and psychiatrists, who can prescribe Suboxone® and monitor its effects. Patients who take part in MAT are required to attend focused group therapy sessions as part of their treatment plan.  

Basic medical care is also available at our addiction treatment center on an as-needed basis. Patients meet with our medical staff during the admissions process, and then follow-up meetings happen if there is a need. 

The Treatment Teams at Our Addiction Treatment Center

At our Madison, Wisconsin, addiction treatment center, we have a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping patients feel safe and comfortable when they come to us for care. These team members meet patients where they are on their recovery journeys, welcoming them, accepting them, and respecting them. 

The staff at our addiction treatment center includes: 

  • Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) 
  • Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) 
  • Psychiatrists 
  • Mental health technicians 
  • Nurse practitioners 
  • Registered nurses 
  • Licensed professional nurses (LPNs) 
  • Registered dietitians 
  • Activity therapists 

Learn More About Addiction Treatment

If you want to learn more about addiction treatment and the services we offer, please contact the team at our Madison, Wisconsin, hospital today. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer any questions you may have, explain how you can start the admissions process, and help you decide if our treatment center is the best choice for you or your loved one. 

This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Shorewood Behavioral Health.