The Role of an Alcohol Addiction Psychiatrist in Drug Abuse Treatment

An alcohol addiction psychiatrist is a mental health professional that can diagnose and treat alcoholism and drug use disorder, and conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. It is helpful to understand the way in which an alcohol addiction psychiatrist helps drug abuse patients.

How an alcohol addiction psychiatrist can help those struggling with drug abuse

Overcoming drug abuse or alcohol addiction is not something you should take on alone. Instead, relying on the assistance of loved ones and an alcohol addiction psychiatrist can ensure you have the support and resources you need to safely and effectively fight the addiction. The following is a review of the role an alcohol addiction psychiatrist plays in drug abuse recovery.

Diagnosing alcohol or drug addiction

An alcohol addiction psychiatrist is a medical professional that is able to diagnose mental health conditions, such as the following:

• Alcoholism
• Alcohol abuse
• Prescription medication abuse
• Illegal drug abuse
• Anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders
• Mood disorders

Of course, there are many more conditions that an addiction psychiatrist can diagnose. In doing so, they may utilize the following tests: X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, IQ tests, laboratory tests, and testing for specific disorders.

Putting together a personalized treatment plan

After diagnosis, an alcohol addiction psychiatrist puts together a personalized treatment plan. Specifically for alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and drug addictions, the treatments may include detoxification and monitoring, medications, and psychotherapy. Ketamine infusions may also assist with recovery from drug abuse. The psychiatrist helps the patient through the treatment process and is available to answer questions all along the way. They may also coordinate with other health professionals for the most holistic and effective treatment possible (see below).

Coordinating with other health professionals

An alcohol addiction psychiatrist will work with other health professionals that are a part of the patient’s recovery plan. This may include the patient’s primary health physician, drug abuse counselor, and any other professional that is involved. They may also work with family members and friends of the patient to ensure they have the adequate support they need to make a full recovery from drug abuse. The primary goal of the alcohol addiction psychiatrist is for the patient to live a sober, drug-free life, and they are willing to go the extra mile to make that happen.

Long-term care and addiction prevention

The reality is that treatment is never over after you overcome addiction. An alcohol addiction psychiatrist helps long-term with the prevention of falling back into an addiction to drugs or alcohol. They ensure the patient is able to live a lifestyle that reduces the risk of drug use and provides them with the long-term counseling and medical needs they need to stay sober.

3 FAQs answered by an alcohol addiction psychiatrist

Here are common questions and answers about alcohol addiction treatment (drug abuse treatment) from a psychiatrist to help you decide if treatment is right for you.

1. When should I visit an alcohol addiction psychiatrist?

Individuals who have a desire to better control how much alcohol they consume or that have been diagnosed with alcoholism or alcohol use disorder should consider a visit to an alcohol addiction psychiatrist. A referral from a medical or mental health professional is not necessary to visit an addiction psychiatrist, although many patients are referred to by other medical professionals.

2. Does alcohol addiction treatment from a psychiatrist work?

While the results vary from patient to patient, many alcohol addiction psychiatrists believe that there is a path to sobriety for every patient, and they are committed to ensuring their patients achieve their sobriety goals. They are well-trained and have a range of treatment options available to them to help deal with alcoholism or alcohol use. As mentioned, these services may include psychotherapy, group counseling, ketamine treatment, and much more.

3. Is talk therapy required for alcohol addiction treatment with a psychiatrist?

There is no doubt that talk therapy is highly recommended by psychiatrists of all types. While it is strongly recommended and utilized in most treatment plans, patients who are uncomfortable with talk therapy or have found it to be ineffective in the past may benefit more from other types of therapy and alcohol addiction treatment.

Ready to begin the addiction treatment process?

The process of recovery from drug abuse begins with asking for help. If you would like to arrange a visit with our friendly team to discuss the best path and treatment plan for drug abuse recovery, then call us today to schedule a consultation.

Get more information here: https://nycpsychiatricassociates.com or call NYC Psychiatric Associates at (917) 391-0076

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