Drug Abuse Center - Altoona, PAAltoona 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 Altoona * Ciceron L Opida MD  Altoona Center for Mental Health  Home Nursing Agency Behavioral Health  Cecilia Levich MD  Medical Connections  G Martin Keeney MD  Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center  Nulton Diagnostic & Treatment Center  Alternative Community Resource Program  Alternative Community Resource Program  Alternative Community Resource Program  Conemaugh Behavioral Medicine  Center for Child & Adult Development  Penn State Psychological Clinic  Counseling & Psychological Services  Penn Orthopaedics Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy  Laurie B Kile MD  Abdollah Nabavi MD  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  SunPointe Health  Joshua M Figlin DO  Outpatient Behavioral Health Services  CCMR  Community Guidance Center  Community Guidance Center  The Braddock Center for Behavioral Medicine  Steven Gelfand MD  Meadows Psychiatric Center  Meadows Psychiatric Center  Somerset Mental Health  Keystone Behavioral Health  Keystone Behavioral Health  Keystone Behavioral Health  Eric M Levin MD  Summit Behavioral Health  Summit Behavioral Health  Summit Behavioral Health  Summit Behavioral Health  Summit Behavioral Health  Dickinson Mental Health Center  Dickinson Mental Health Center  Latrobe Area Hospital Mental Health Clinic  Latrobe Area Hospital Mental Health Clinic  Latrobe Area Hospital Mental Health Clinic  Community Psychiatric Centers  Family Counseling Center  Comprehensive Counseling  Clarion Psychiatric Center  Clarion Psychiatric Center  Bonsall & Manfredi MDs & Associates  Bonsall & Manfredi MDs & Associates  The Stevens Center  Nightingale Health & Wellness  Allegheny Associates in Psychiatry  Allegheny Associates in Psychiatry  Jon Grigg MD  Penn Psycare Inc  Penn Psycare Inc  Penn Psycare Inc  Health First Medical Center  Gettysburg Center For Adult Medicine  Family Services of Western Pennsylvania  Robert H Trivus MD  WellSpan Behavioral Health Services  Paul I Weiss MD  Gail M Kubrin MD Altoona, PennsylvaniaUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Altoona
Nearby Altoona Hospitals *Altoona Regional Health System Bon Secours Hospital Campus Altoona Regional Hospital James E Van Zandt VA Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Altoona Rehabilitation Hospital Nason Hospital Tyrone Hospital Miners Medical Center J C Blair Memorial Hospital Windber Medical Center Crichton Rehabilitation Center Memorial Medical Center Lee Campus Good Samaritan Medical Center Memorial Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Johnstown UPMC Bedford Memorial Mount Nittany Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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Alcohol and Teens
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