Psychiatric Substance Abuse Treatments

Substance Abuse Albany, NY

It is not uncommon for individuals who live with a substance abuse disorder to also struggle with a co-occurring mental health condition; for this reason, drug addiction therapy with a psychiatrist often also focuses on addressing underlying mental health issues. Though treatment for drug abuse varies depending on a person's addiction and mental disorder, the overreaching goal is to help the patient kick the habit as well as restore psychological balance. Treatment may involve behavioral therapy, psychiatric interventions, and somatic treatments.

Treatment modalities for substance abuse disorders

Medical professionals often use a combination of approaches to treat individuals with certain disorders, conditions, or addictions. These treatments are classified into categories known as "modalities." In the field of mental health, psychiatrists often need to address several clinical treatment modalities to get a person on the path to overall psychological well-being. Treatment for co-occurring drug addiction and mental illness typically falls into one of three modalities:

  • Behavioral therapy, which may involve exposure therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Psychiatric interventions, which may involve family, individual, or group psychotherapy
  • Somatic treatments, which may include medical interventions

Some individuals see substantial success with some types of therapy, while others see no change. It may take some trial and error to determine the correct approach for any given person.

Substance abuse treatments explained

Before beginning treatment, a drug abuse counselor and psychiatrist inform the patient of the various treatment options. This is done to ensure all patients make informed decisions regarding their health.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy involves repeatedly exposing the patient to stimuli that an individual identifies with substance abuse. The goal is to desensitize the person to the stimulus.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

This is one of the most popular types of therapy and involves helping a patient understand the addiction, work to resolve issues associated with it, and eventually overcome it.

Psychodynamic therapy

The basis of this therapy relies on identifying the unconscious elements associated with an individual's destructive behaviors. This is another form of talk therapy.

Dialectal behavioral therapy

Dialectal therapy involves helping an individual accept themselves and make the necessary changes to live a healthier, more meaningful, and overall better life, free of substances.

Family therapy

Family therapy strives to help individuals recognize how abusive behaviors negatively impact their family and to improve strained relationships between drug-addicted individuals and individual family members.

Individual therapy

Individual therapy takes place between the afflicted individual and a psychiatrist. It involves talking to reveal troubling thoughts and emotional patterns, as well as equipping the person with coping techniques and the ability to recognize and change unhealthy patterns.

Group therapy

In group therapy, individuals who struggle with the same addiction and/or mental condition share similar struggles. Group therapy provides a great avenue for open communication.

Medical intervention

Highly regulated medical treatment can help treat the physical damage to the body caused by substance abuse as well as relieve the painful and sometimes life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal.

About detoxification from drugs and/or alcohol

Detoxification is an essential step in the substance abuse treatment process. This may include careful monitoring by a medical professional. In many cases, inpatient care during detoxification is required or highly recommended. The initial detoxification period usually takes approximately a week (although times can greatly vary). This includes your body adjusting to the physical and mental dependency on the substances. Once the initial detoxification stage is complete, the focus turns to maintaining abstinence from the abused substances and finding a long-term coping strategy.

How to determine the right substance abuse treatment plan

The first step to establishing your treatment plan and overcoming substance abuse is to schedule a visit with a licensed psychiatric professional. During the visit, you can discuss your treatment goals, history of substance abuse, treatments you have tried in the past, relevant medical and hereditary information, and more. Together with your mental health professional, you can put together a treatment plan that works for you.

Most treatment plans include a combination of more than one treatment. For example, a patient may have regular cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions and attend group therapy events weekly. Of course, every plan is entirely personalized according to the patient’s needs and goals.

Seeking help

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to substance abuse treatment. Talk to your doctor today about what is right for you or a loved one. You can also feel free to call our office today to schedule a visit and discuss psychiatric substance abuse treatment options.

Request an appointment here: https://albany.evolvepsychiatry.com or call Evolve Psychiatry at (518) 675-3097 for an appointment in our Albany office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Substance Abuse in Albany, NY.

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