Substance use rarely fits into one simple category.
People may use one substance or several, and patterns can change over time. Icare evaluates the medical, psychiatric, and recovery factors surrounding use and develops an appropriate outpatient plan or referral.
Different substances, one respectful starting point.
Stimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine, sedatives, cannabis, and misused prescription medications each affect the body and mind in different ways — and many people use more than one. Patterns shift over time, too: occasional use can become hard to control, and a substance taken to manage the effects of another can create problems of its own.
Whatever the substance, this is a health concern, not a moral one. Care at Icare begins with an unhurried evaluation of how use is affecting sleep, mood, thinking, physical health, relationships, and safety — and what role each substance is playing. From there, you and the clinician build a plan that fits your situation rather than a one-size-fits-all program.
Care may address
If what you use is not listed here, call anyway. The evaluation — not the label — determines what help can look like.
Stimulant use
Methamphetamine or cocaine use, including effects on sleep, mood, heart health, and thinking.
Sedative misuse
Sedatives and sleep medications, where stopping suddenly can be unsafe and timing matters.
Cannabis-related problems
Use that affects motivation, memory, anxiety, or sleep, or that has become hard to cut back.
Prescription-medication misuse
Taking medication differently than prescribed, or using medication prescribed for someone else.
Polysubstance use
Using several substances together or in cycles, which can complicate both risks and treatment.
Co-occurring effects
Psychiatric and medical symptoms that substances can trigger, mask, or worsen.
Signs it may be time to seek help.
You do not need to meet every sign — or be certain there is a problem — before calling.
- 01
Using more, or more often, than intended
- 02
Trying to cut back or stop without lasting success
- 03
Cravings, or spending significant time using and recovering
- 04
Changes in sleep, mood, or thinking tied to use
- 05
Problems at work, home, or school connected to use
- 06
Using in situations that are physically risky
- 07
Friends or family expressing concern
What to expect at the first appointment.
The visit is a conversation, not a test. Honest detail about recent use makes the plan safer and more useful — nothing you share is treated as a confession.
- 01
You describe your use in your own words: which substances, how much, how often, and how recently.
- 02
A clinician reviews medical and mental-health history, current medications, and any past treatment experiences.
- 03
Withdrawal risk, sleep, mood, and safety are assessed, since some substances need careful planning before any change.
- 04
You and the clinician discuss options — behavioral therapy, psychiatric care, medical follow-up, recovery supports, or referral — and what fits your goals.
- 05
The visit ends with a concrete plan, follow-up timing, and clear guidance on what to do if something changes sooner.
Treatment focuses on the drivers and consequences.
For many substances, behavioral approaches — structured counseling and motivational strategies — are the core of care, with medication in a supporting role when clinically appropriate. Medication options vary by substance and by person, and no medication or specific treatment is guaranteed before an evaluation.
Depending on the assessment, care may also include psychiatric treatment for co-occurring symptoms, medical follow-up for the physical effects of use, and connection to recovery supports.
Questions people often ask.
Do I have to stop using before the first visit?+
No. Come as you are. The evaluation looks at where things stand today, and any changes are planned with safety in mind — some substances, such as sedatives, need careful planning before stopping.
Is there medication for stimulant use?+
Medication options vary by substance and depend on the evaluation. For stimulant use, behavioral approaches are often the core of care, and a clinician may also address sleep, mood, and cravings. No medication or specific treatment can be promised before an assessment.
What if I use more than one substance?+
That is common, and it is exactly what the evaluation is designed to sort through. Each substance is considered for its own risks, and the plan addresses the most pressing safety concerns first.
Can visits happen by telehealth?+
Telehealth may be an option for some visits, depending on clinical appropriateness and other requirements. See the telehealth page or call 702-988-3177 to ask.
Some situations need emergency care first.
Severe intoxication, chest pain, seizures, overheating, dangerous agitation, thoughts of self-harm, or psychosis that feels unsafe are reasons to seek emergency evaluation rather than wait for an appointment.