According to the National Institute of Health more than 23 million adults in the United States have struggled with substance use disorder. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior leading to a person’s inability to control their use of substances such as legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can range from moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of substance use disorders.

Currently, the treatments of substance use disorder include behavioral focused treatment, medication assisted treatment (MAT), evaluation and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and long-term follow up to prevent relapse.

Another potential treatment that has emerged is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). It has been studied for relief of detox and withdrawal symptoms. SUD can cause damage to the brain on a cellular level, especially in the frontal lobe where strategic and decision making takes place. After 20-40 HBOT treatment sessions, the blood flow in the brain increases and the cells can detox properly giving cells the nutrients they need to heal themselves.