Drug Abuse Center - Asheville, NCAsheville 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 Asheville * James B Payton MD  Nancy C Lehman MD  Eric W Peterson MD  Pamela A Dunkin MD  William L Anixter MD  The Pisgah Institute  The Pisgah Institute  The Pisgah Institute  Carl T Whiteside MD  Biltmore Associates Psychiatry & Psychology  Biltmore Associates Psychiatry & Psychology  Holistic Psychiatry & Medicine  Carolina Spine & Neurosurgery Center  Family Life & Learning Center  Family Life & Learning Center  Family Life & Learning Center  Asheville Integrative Medicine  Asheville Neurology Specialists PA  Asheville Neurology Specialists PA  Carolina Mountain Psychiatry  Appalachian Counseling  Appalachian Counseling  Family Preservation Services  Woodford Psychological Associates  Raintree Clinic  Mountain View Physicians  Mountain View Physicians  David C Cook MD  Broughton Hospital  Grace Psychiatric Associates  High Country Physicians  Hickory Psychiatric Center  Hickory Psychiatric Center  Hickory Psychiatric Center  Hickory Psychiatric Center  Acupuncture Pain Clinic  Catawba Valley Psychiatric Services  Gastonia Psychiatric Group  Ramesh Gihwala MD & Associates  Vikram R Shukla MD  Pillai Neuro-Psychiatric Center  Psychiatric & Forensic Associates Asheville, North CarolinaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Asheville
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Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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Hepatitis C
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