Often a person’s use of a substance crosses the line into substance abuse when there becomes significant impairment in personal and social functioning. For example, their inability to meet responsibilities in the workplace, school, family, and other personal relationships, plus high-risk behavior and health-related issues. Together the therapist and patient develop a treatment plan and address the coping skills and strategies needed to find the right path to recovery. Since substance abuse has far-reaching effects, the therapist also addresses issues that have developed among family members and other important relationships in the patient’s life. BVBH believes that most substance abuse disorders are dual diagnoses, and we therefore strongly encourage a treatment team approach.