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Treating Addiction
Through Psychiatry

Studies conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) have shown that a person’s quality of life improves in direct proportion to a healthy mind. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 44 million Americans, of all cultures, ethnic groups and races, live with a mental health illness. Businesses lose more than $70 billion in lost productivity each year due to untreated problems of a psychological and/or psychiatric nature. It has been estimated that 25% of employees take a day off from work to address stress and mental health concerns. Individuals with mental health issues or confronting a mental health crisis may consult a psychiatrist to discuss issues in their lives or seek treatment.

Recovery Through Psychiatry

Psychiatrists are physicians who focus on preventing, diagnosing and treating a wide range of mental illnesses, including addiction and substance abuse. Unlike a psychologist, a psychiatrist is trained in the social, medical, and psychological aspects of behavioral, emotional and mental problems. Psychiatrists tend to be consulted, to a higher extent than psychologists, by patients with severe mental health problems. Psychiatrists typically have a mastery of psychology and pathophysiology and are skilled in understanding the brain’s effect on health and illness. They tend to attribute psychological disturbances to medical or biological causes, rather than to maladaption. They are also trained in medication management of significant psychiatric problems and crisis and emergency evaluations.

Psychiatric Services

Psychiatrists may also offer quality psychotherapy and counseling to families, individuals, groups and couples.

Psychiatrists Gather Information About A Client By:

  1. Reviewing family background and medical history to identify a potentially biological cause for the condition
  2. Meeting with family members of the patient to discover more about their life
  3. Consulting other mental health professionals who have treated the patient
  4. Ordering diagnostic tests

When devising a treatment plan, a psychiatrist also performs a variety of psychological, medical, and laboratory tests. This type of therapist is authorized to prescribe medications for treating a full range of psychiatric symptoms and when the prescriptions are ineffective, the treatment plan is adjusted. Psychiatrists determine whether psychotherapy, medication or both are the most suitable approaches for a particular patient. Sometimes, they admit clients to a hospital or refer them to a therapist, who they consult for optimal coordination of treatment.

Psychiatrists Offer Several Services Including:

  • Brain stimulation therapy and electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT)
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Group psychotherapy
  • Family psychotherapy
  • Marital/couples psychotherapy
  • Complete psychiatric and medical evaluation and treatment
  • Smoking cessation
  • Substance abuse assessment
  • Psychiatric services to children and families afflicted with disabilities
  • Treatment of dementia and behavioral problems
  • Occupational and recreational therapy
  • Psychosocial assessments
  • Family and patient education
  • Diagnosis and treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS
  • Emergency evaluation as well as crisis management, counseling, and stabilization
  • 24-hour psychiatric care
  • Medication management
  • Assessment of patients for suicide attempts
  • Referral for admission to psychiatric and addiction services

Treatment is Available for Multiple Psychiatric Problems Including:

  • Alcohol dependence and abuse
  • Depression
  • Psychosis
  • Dementia
  • Bipolar mood disorder
  • Delirium
  • Cyclothymic disorder
  • Anxiolytic and sedative abuse and dependence
  • Social phobias
  • Cocaine addiction
  • Cannabis disorder
  • OCD
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Amphetamine abuse
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Generalized anxiety
  • Adult attention deficit disorder
  • Development disabilities
  • Panic attacks
  • Compulsive gambling
  • Adjustment problems
  • Trichotillomania
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sexual addiction
  • Schizophrenia
  • Delusional disorder
  • Dementia
  • Sleep disorders
  • Autism

Many psychiatrists are board certified, which demonstrates competence in their specialty.

There are Numerous Avenues to Find Psychiatric Services Including:

  • Contacting insurance companies or HMO
  • Obtaining referrals from other physicians such as their general physician or therapist
  • Consulting databases such as that present on the American Psychiatric Association’s website

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