At Wholeview, our medical providers use pharmacogenetic testing to help personalize medication plans for patients with mental health conditions. This process begins with a simple cheek swab collected at home, which is then analyzed in a lab to identify genetic variations that affect how patients metabolize and respond to medications. The resulting report categorizes medications into groups based on their likely effectiveness and risk of side effects. Pharmacogenetic testing can speed up the process of finding the right psychiatric medication, which is especially valuable for patients with both substance use and mental health disorders. By reducing the trial-and-error period, patients may experience quicker symptom stabilization and improved adherence to treatment. However, genetic testing is used as a supplementary tool alongside thorough clinical evaluations and is not a standalone solution. At Wholeview, we integrate this testing into a broader care approach, including therapy and behavioral interventions, and ensure patients are fully informed about its benefits and limitations before proceeding. Read More

What Are Opioids? Opioids are a class of drugs that relieve pain but also carry a high risk of addiction. They include prescription painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal drugs like heroin and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines them this… Read More

What Is Alcohol Addiction? Alcohol addiction, sometimes called alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic, relapsing brain disease that causes people to consume alcohol despite its negative consequences. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol addiction includes: Compulsive drinking Dependence Withdrawal symptoms when alcohol use… Read More

Behavioral addictions are similar to substance use addictions, except with behavioral addictions a person compulsively engages in a behavior or activity, rather than using a substance problematically. Like substance use disorder, the compulsion for behavioral addiction is driven by a dysfunction of the brain’s reward networks, especially the dopamine system. Read More

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is a recognized medical condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorder, 5th edition (DSM-5). It describes cannabis use that causes harm or distress related to the inability to control or stop use. CUD is often misunderstood because it is seen as less… Read More

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental condition that causes a person to use substances even in the face of negative consequences. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, substance use disorder affects a person’s brain function and behavior, making them unable to control how they use substances (legal… Read More

Dopamine, often called the “feel-good” chemical, plays a central role in the brain’s reward system. It regulates pleasure, motivation, and habit formation. Drugs and alcohol artificially stimulate dopamine release and create an intense sense of reward, leading to compulsive use. Understanding dopamine’s role in addiction helps us see why recovering… Read More

Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward center. Understanding the neurobiological impacts of addiction in and on the brain helps make treatment more successful and reduces the stigma around the disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of… Read More

Addiction is a chronic condition that can have serious negative impacts on individuals, families and society. Addiction can significantly impact your physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is a complex medical disorder, ultimately caused by a change in brain chemistry. Addiction falls into two categories:Substance… Read More