How does a psychiatrist help with addiction?
Psychiatric medications can be a tremendous help in helping a person with addiction recover and maintain sobriety. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications that can help the person control their withdrawal symptoms as well as treat any co-morbid mental health conditions that may be accompanying, contributing to, or getting worsened by the person’s addiction.
Why is there a need for a psychiatrist for addiction?
On the road of recovery, a person with addiction would most likely face withdrawal symptoms. When a person tries to quit addiction on their own without professional support, sometimes these withdrawal symptoms can be very severe and dangerous. Psychiatrists prescribe medications that can soothe this process by managing withdrawal symptoms. Also, as a result of the withdrawal symptoms, the person may be tempted to engage in their addiction again and again – medications can help them stop this unhealthy cycle until they learn better coping mechanisms and to handle their triggers in therapy.
What other professionals apart from a psychiatrist treat addiction?
A therapist plays a crucial role in treating addiction, in addition to a psychiatrist. A therapist can explore the underlying causes and contributing factors to the person’s addiction, help the person identify and learn ways to deal with their triggers, work up their motivation levels to overcome addiction, and help equip them with healthy coping strategies to deal with any emotional, psychological, or life stressors that they might be using their addiction to cope with.
How often should one consult a psychiatrist for addiction?
As long as advised by the psychiatrist, until the person has recovered from their addiction and is able to maintain sobriety. A psychiatrist would prescribe medications and ask you to follow up regularly after a certain duration which could be 1 month, 3 months, etc. depending on the individual’s case.
