Drug Abuse Center - Ames, IAAmes 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 Ames * Central Iowa Psychological Services  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  Gregory P Barclay MD  James R Trahan MD  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  Mercy Behavioral Health Clinic  IHP Penn Mental Health  Iowa Health Physicians Psychiatry  IHP Penn Mental Health  Wadle & Associates  IHP Penn Mental Health  IHP Penn Mental Health  Iowa Health Physicians Psychiatry  Wadle & Associates  Bertroche and Associates  Mark A Preston MD  David E Drake DO  Mark A Preston MD  Mark A Preston MD  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  James Gallagher MD  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Methodist Plaza Specialty Clinic  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Innovative Psychiatric Care PC  Kavalier & Associates PC  Midwest Clinical Associates  West Central Mental Health Center  Center Associates  Center Associates  Lee & Associates  Laura M VanCleve DO  Mercy Behavioral Services  Mason City Clinic Psychiatry  Mason City Clinic Psychiatry  Mason City Clinic Psychiatry  Richard Nightingale MD  St Anthony Mental Health Outpatient Services  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Covenant Clinic Psychiatry  Mental Health Center  Mental Health Center  Psychiatric Associates  Psychiatric Associates  Psychiatric Associates  Psychiatric Associates Ames, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-17
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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 Ames
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Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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Anxiety
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Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with a break in the skin or tissues such as those that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes.
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Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks, especially with intravenous drug abuse. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, usually in combination with anti-virals.
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Alcoholism
- Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
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Stress
- Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However, over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
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Hepatitis B
- The hepatitis B virus is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined primarily by the age at which the infection is acquired and the interaction between the virus and the body's immune system. Successful treatment is associated with a reduction in liver injury and fibrosis (scarring), a decreased likelihood of developing cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer, and a prolonged survival.
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Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
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Depression
- Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
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Suicide
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Schizophrenia
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Bipolar Disorder
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Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence)
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Rhabdomyolysis
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Antisocial Personality Disorder
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Child Abuse
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Botulism
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Alcohol and Teens
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Chronic Pain
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Fatigue
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Learning Disabilities
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Teen Drug Abuse
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