Drug Abuse Center - Altadena, CAAltadena Psychiatrist Doctors for Drug AbuseType of Physician: Psychiatrist What is a Psychiatrist? A certification by the Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; practitioners are skilled in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental, addictive and emotional disorders. He or she is trained to understand the biological, psychological and social components of illness and is qualified to order diagnostic laboratory tests and to prescribe medications, as well as to evaluate and treat psychological and interpersonal problems. The psychiatrist is also prepared to intervene with individuals and families who are coping with stress, crises, and other problems in living. Specialty: Psychiatry Common Name: Psychiatrist Doctors in Altadena * Roy Kushel MD  Gregory A Cohen MD  Gregory E Gray MD PhD  Chris Minnick MD  Merle N Stern MD  Mariel S Tourani MD  Rogelio Whyte MD  Askins and Snyder MDs  Scott Carder MD  Pasadena Psychiatric Medical Group  Askins and Snyder MDs  Daniel M Asimus MD  Steven C Horwitz MD  Judith Vida MD  Alexander M Beebee MD  Stuart Shipko, M.D.  Southern California Neurosurgical Associates Inc  Laila Karme MD  Christian B Rutland MD  Thomas C Wallace MD  Edward Castner MD  David Foos MD  Haraszti & Associates  Laurance Johnson MD  Joel E Miller MD  Haraszti & Associates  Psychiatric Counseling Center  R Singh MD  Mohamed H El-Gabalawy MD  Desmond Chiong MD  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  San Marino Psychiatric Associates  Richard J Atkins MD Inc  James A MacCuish MD  Carl E Marusak MD  Carl E Marusak MD  Northeast Mental Health Center  Northeast Mental Health Center  Wing-Ki Lee MD  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  Ara Kadoyan MD  Mark Powers MD  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  Sanford R Weimer MD  MCLA Psychiatric Medical Group  Estelita B Calica MD APC  Glen Roberts Child Study Center  Comprehensive Doctors Medical Group  Verdugo Mental Health Center  Comprehensive Doctors Medical Group  Comprehensive Doctors Medical Group  Verdugo Mental Health Center  Navin Adatia MD  Jack H Lindheimer MD  Transcultural Psychology Institute  Lilit Yegiazaryan MD  George M Sabounjian MD  Judith Vukov MD  Walter Chameides MD  Kuang J Huang MD  Pacific Clinics East  Astrik Davtian MD  Frank R Young MD  Edward A Elliott MD  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Los Angeles  Manohar S Shinde MD  J Guzman MD  Abilio A Hernandez MD  Adib H Bitar MD  Adib H Bitar MD  Eliseo Mills Jr. MD  Koichi Ishikawa MD  Downtown Mental Health Center  Jaime B Anselen MD  Marcia Goin MD  Hiawatha Harris MD  Mafa Kamal MD  Stephen M Kramer MD  Samuel P Smith MD  Maria E Mayoral MD  Leonard P Jones MD  Pacifica Sur Medical Group  Ronald R Ricker MD  Drs Chung & Chung  Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Mental Health  Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Mental Health  LA County Mental Health  LA County Mental Health  LA County Mental Health  Alisa Cross MD Inc Altadena, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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Drug AbuseWhat is drug addiction?Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs. It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse. Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or
heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And, as with other
chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing
drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal
What happens to your brain when you take drugs?Drugs are chemicals that tap into the brain's communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. There are at le... Recommended Reading Related to Drug AbuseLeishmaniasis facts
Other Related Drug Abuse ArticlesEmergency Contact for Altadena
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Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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