— Appointment guide

Your substance use appointment: Prep and follow-up

This is your conversation. Walk in ready for it.

General guidance to help you make the most of your visit. This is a judgment-free topic, and this page is not a substitute for medical advice.

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Bringing up substance use takes nerve, and being prepared makes it easier. Putting down honest details beforehand helps you get straight to the support you need.

— Your appointment, start to finish

Three steps to a visit that meets you without judgment

01
Before your visit

Prepare

Note what you use, roughly how much and how often, and how it has changed over time. Track how it affects your sleep, mood, work, and relationships, and what tends to trigger it.

Write down what you want from the visit, whether that is cutting back, stopping, or just talking it through. List your medications and any past attempts, and decide in advance what you are comfortable sharing.

Bring these questions

  • What are my options for cutting back or stopping?
  • Is it safe for me to stop on my own, or do I need support?
  • What withdrawal symptoms should I watch for?
  • Can you connect me with counseling or a program?
  • How will this be recorded, and who can see it?
02
During your visit

Make the time count

Your doctor is there to help, not to judge. Share as much as you are comfortable with, and lead with what you want out of the visit so the time goes toward a plan.

Take notes as the doctor talks, record the meeting (with their permission!) in myStoria, or add a quick voice note to myStoria as soon as possible afterward so that you are not relying on memory alone.

Before you leave the clinic, ask for copies of anything from the visit, like lab results, assessments, or referrals, and upload them to myStoria to keep your history complete. (If you aren't able to get copies, connect with Concierge and we can help you source them!)

03
After your visit

Follow up

Keep a simple daily note on use, cravings, and how you are feeling, so you and your doctor can see what is working. Progress is rarely a straight line, and a record helps you see it clearly.

If you are cutting back and notice withdrawal symptoms like shaking, confusion, or a racing heart, seek care right away, since some withdrawals are dangerous. Book a follow-up to keep the plan on track.

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How myStoria helps

Every appointment starts prepared

myStoria keeps your notes and questions private and in one place, so every appointment starts prepared and picks up cleanly at the next one. When you want to talk something through between visits, you can schedule a video consult in advance with a member of our team, several of whom are nurses.

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