What is an Addiction Psychiatrist?
What is an Addiction Psychiatrist?
If you are considering stopping or reducing the use of drugs and/or alcohol, it’s extremely helpful to find a psychiatrist that understands the nuances of dual diagnosis and substance use disorder treatment.
But are there psychiatrists that specialize in the field of addiction? How rare are they? And will the treatment center you may be considering have a psychiatrist that specializes in the treatment of patients with substance use disorder on staff?
What Is an Addiction Psychiatrist?
An addiction psychiatrist is a doctor that focuses on diagnosing, evaluating, and treating patients with substance use and dual diagnosis disorders. They also are experts in these disorders, their health effects, and safe treatment.
Psychiatrists in general may help by providing counseling, psychotherapy, medications, and more. As with any psychiatrist, an addiction psychiatrist diagnoses disorders that need to be treated and determines if medication is required to address these disorders.
The key differentiators between general psychiatrists and addiction psychiatrists are…
· the focus on substance use as a factor in the treatment of patients
· special training that allows addiction psychiatrists to make adjustments to medications that reflect changes in patients throughout different stages of their sobriety (particularly early sobriety)
· the ability to provide additional support during the withdrawal phase (as they are medical doctors)
To illustrate how rare this form of physician is, consider this excerpt from an article published by the AAMC:
“Just 1,883 physicians nationwide are certified in addiction medicine, while an additional 1,288 physicians are qualified to practice addiction psychiatry, according to the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).”
Do All Treatment Centers Employ an Addiction Psychiatrist?
No. Not all treatment centers have an addiction psychiatrist on staff. There will likely be other medical professionals, but they may not specialize in this particular field of medicine.
The Front Door Health Approach to Addiction Psychiatry
One key differentiator of Front Door Health is our on-staff Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Adelstein, MD. Dr. Adelstein specializes in addiction psychiatry and is an integral part of the Front Door Health team. As part of Front Door Health’s 360 approach to treatment, Dr. Adelstein works with other members of your treatment team to provide customized care that is designed to meet your specific needs. This means you have access to a specialized doctor in the field that makes house calls!
“Recovery—particularly early recovery—can be daunting and confusing,” Dr. Jonathan Adelstein has been quoted as saying, “and having someone experienced, caring, and knowledgeable in your corner can be invaluable and even lifesaving. You don’t need to do this alone, and addiction psychiatry can offer the tools, reassurance, and guidance that can be the key difference in your success.”
About Us
Front Door Health provides in-home treatment for patients when they need it. We take an evidence-based approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our treatment process is client-focused and individualized. This means no group sessions with strangers and no “treatment as usual” approach. You are unique and the treatment plan we create for you is designed to meet you where you are along your journey and help you to reach your recovery goals.
We understand that it can be difficult to put your life on hold and take time off work or school. Our in-home treatment allows patients to continue to meet their school, family, pet, and other obligations while receiving the treatment they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
