When most people think of addiction, they think of 12-step programs and sobriety. While these are important parts of addiction treatment, they are not the whole story. For many people struggling with addiction, psychiatry can be an important part of their recovery.

What is Psychiatry?

Psychiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed training in psychiatry. This training includes medical school and residency training in psychiatry.

How Can Psychiatry Help with Addiction Treatment?

Psychiatrists can help with addiction treatment and recovery in many ways, including identifying underlying conditions, using medication to aid in recovery, and providing therapy to support and develop a plan for maintaining sobriety.

Underlying Conditions

Addiction typically involves an underlying condition. People do not just decide to be addicts overnight. Psychiatrists can help to identify and treat the underlying mental health conditions that may be contributing to the addiction, including, but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Childhood trauma
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
• Antisocial personality disorder

Treating these underlying conditions can often help to treat the addiction as well. In fact, in many cases, unless the underlying condition is treated, recovery may not be possible.

Medication-assisted Treatment

Psychiatrists can provide medication-assisted treatment for addiction. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. MAT can be used to treat withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse. A common MAT is the use of buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction. Medication-assisted treatment is often used in conjunction with other programs and other forms of counseling and therapy.

Therapy Sessions

Psychiatrists can provide individual and group therapy for people with addiction. Individual therapy can help people assess their unique situation and develop a plan for recovery. Group therapy can provide support and accountability while teaching new recovery skills. Psychiatric care can also help families affected by addiction by providing education and support. Families, particularly children raised in households with addicts, can be traumatized by the experience and emotional support in order to recover.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, psychiatric care may be an important part of their treatment. Psychiatrists can help to identify and treat underlying mental health conditions, provide medication-assisted treatment, and provide individual and group therapy. If you are seeking addiction treatment options, be sure to ask your provider about psychiatric care options.