How Does a Psychiatrist Help With Substance Abuse

Over 9.5 million adults all around the world are struggling with an addiction problem. Despite the number being so large, it can still be an incredibly isolating experience. This is because people with this condition struggle to reach out, as substance abuse attracts a lot of stigma. Many may even hesitate to admit that there might be a problem. 

We understand that it is difficult to accept that someone is struggling with addiction. Not to say that something is wrong with having a substance use disorder - it is a medical condition. As with any mental health condition, proper help from a trained and qualified psychiatrist is required to get better. There is no shame in admitting that there is a problem - in fact, it is the first step towards recovery. A psychiatrist for substance abuse can be pivotal in recovery. 

Can a psychiatrist for substance abuse be helpful?

A psychiatrist is a licensed doctor who specialises in mental health, including substance abuse. A psychiatrist can diagnose a substance use disorder and identify any other mental health conditions that may be contributing to it. Based on this diagnosis, they can prescribe the right medication and help to get in touch with a therapist. They can help in treating the underlying causes of addiction - helping to get to the root of problems and getting the kind of help needed. 

What does treatment for substance abuse with a psychiatrist look like? 

Once the correct diagnosis is made, and any co-occurring mental health conditions are being treated, a psychiatrist will create a custom treatment plan for the person being treated. This treatment plan will include medication, therapy and other interventions. It will also include a timeline for completion of treatment - and how to deal with relapse. Relapse is when someone has a setback during their recovery, that is, they start engaging in their addictive behaviours again. 

So, in a way, a psychiatrist will help in covering all the bases during recovery. 

Why not just go cold turkey?

Going cold turkey is the practice of abruptly stopping the consumption of the substance. It is not safe to do this. This is because going cold turkey can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. When someone uses a substance for a long time, it can cause their body to become dependent on the substance. When the body is starved of this substance, it causes a lot of physical and emotional trauma - and that may vary in severity. The severity generally depends on factors like the duration of usage, extent of usage, physical health, and the substance used. In many cases, withdrawal can be significantly dangerous. 

Managing withdrawal symptoms

Withdrawal symptoms can be a major deterrent to recovery. When someone with substance use disorder attempts to start recovery, they go through withdrawal and this causes them to crave the substance again in order to lessen their discomfort. This is why the role of a psychiatrist is so important in getting better from substance use disorder.

A psychiatrist will be able to prescribe medication that will help ease the discomfort of withdrawal. They will also try to make the process of recovery as easy as possible with the help of medication, talk therapy and other tools they have at their disposal. They will ensure that the brain adapts to the absence of the substance gradually, reducing the possibility of relapse. 

Can psychiatrists provide therapy? 

A lot of people do not know this, but almost all psychiatrists are trained in some form of talk therapy like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Psychiatrists can provide individual talk therapy sessions or group therapy sessions to help patients work through their addictions and recover. Individual therapy sessions are one-on-one sessions, where they will understand concerns and help learn ways to adaptively cope with addiction. 

Group therapy is another very effective way of coping with addiction. A group therapy session is a session with a group of people that are also recovering from addiction. It is generally supervised by a therapist or a psychiatrist. In a group therapy session, everyone engages in a guided discussion about mental health. They may share their experience with recovery or may even talk about any setbacks they might have had. It can be of great benefit as it can help a person learn from the experience of others. Sharing stories in itself is also a therapeutic experience. 

Regardless of what anyone says, substance addiction is not a choice or a reflection of the person who is living with it. A psychiatrist understands this thoroughly and they have the knowledge and the expertise to help create a safe and non judgemental space that is conducive to recovery.