Breaking Patterns That Keep Pulling You Back

Virtual and in-person psychiatric care for substance use disorder, gambling addiction, and internet or gaming compulsion in Riverside and the Inland Empire

You may have noticed that cravings, secrecy, or chasing relief feels less voluntary than it used to. Whether you live in Riverside and struggle with substances, gambling losses that pile up despite promises to stop, or gaming sessions that stretch into mornings you cannot afford to lose, these patterns are not moral failures. They are treatable conditions that involve brain reward pathways, stress responses, and coping needs that have outgrown the tools you currently have.

Substance use disorder often includes tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, loss of control, and continued use despite negative consequences. Gambling addiction can bring financial strain, secrecy, and persistent urges that disrupt family stability. Internet and gaming addiction may show up as sleep disruption, neglecting responsibilities, social withdrawal, irritability when stopping, and loss of interest in offline life. Many people use substances or compulsive behaviors to manage anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, loneliness, or chronic stress. Mending Health Care provides virtual and in-person psychiatric care that includes identifying triggers, building replacement coping skills, creating barriers to impulsive access, and strengthening support systems.

If you are ready to explore what recovery could look like in Riverside, reach out to start a conversation about your specific situation.

What Changes When You Address the Root Cause

Treatment begins with a psychiatric evaluation that looks at what drives the behavior, what you have already tried, and what barriers exist in your daily life. For clients in Riverside, virtual and in-person sessions make it easier to attend consistently without transportation concerns or waiting rooms. Relapse prevention planning focuses on early warning signs, high-risk situations, and concrete strategies for maintaining recovery momentum. Medication assisted treatment can support recovery for opioid use disorder and reduce overdose risk when clinically appropriate.

After starting treatment, you may notice that cravings become less frequent, sleep improves, and you regain time and energy previously consumed by the behavior. Family education and community support can improve outcomes and reduce stigma. Addiction is a chronic condition, but recovery is possible with the right combination of support, skills, and medical care.

Dr. Chioma emphasizes that treatment is not about willpower alone. It includes psychiatric evaluation, medication management when appropriate, and education that helps you understand what has been happening in your brain and body. The approach is holistic, solution-oriented, and designed to meet you where you are without judgment. If overdose risk is present or someone is in danger, call 911 immediately.

Most people have questions about how treatment works, what to expect, and whether recovery is realistic given their history. These answers address the practical concerns that come up most often.

Questions People Ask Before Starting Treatment

Medication assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications to reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal symptoms, and lower overdose risk for opioid use disorder. It works best when combined with therapy, psychiatric care, and support systems.
What does medication assisted treatment actually do?
If you experience sleep disruption, neglect responsibilities, withdraw socially, feel irritable when stopping, or lose interest in offline life, these are signs that use has crossed into compulsive territory. A psychiatric evaluation can clarify whether treatment is needed.
How do I know if my gaming or internet use is an actual addiction?
Relapse often happens when triggers, stress, or high-risk situations overwhelm your current coping skills. Relapse prevention planning identifies early warning signs and builds concrete strategies to interrupt the cycle before it restarts.
Why do I keep relapsing even when I know the consequences?
You will talk through your history, current patterns, what has worked or not worked in the past, and what goals matter most to you. The focus is on understanding your specific situation so treatment can be tailored to what you actually need.
What should I expect during the first appointment?
Yes, family education and involvement can improve outcomes and reduce stigma. When appropriate, Mending Health Care provides guidance that helps loved ones understand the condition and support recovery without enabling harmful patterns.
Can family members be involved in the treatment process?

Mending Health Care offers virtual and in-person psychiatric care throughout Riverside, allowing you to work with Dr. Chioma from a private, comfortable setting. Whether you are dealing with substances, gambling, or compulsive screen use, the goal is to build a treatment plan that fits your life, addresses underlying causes, and supports long-term recovery. Reach out when you are ready to take the next step.