Drug Abuse Center - Bellingham, WABellingham 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 Bellingham * Robert E Watson & Affiliates  Drs Harle & Levine  Drs Harle & Levine  Christopher N Noell MD  SHIFA Health PLLC  SHIFA Health PLLC  SHIFA Health PLLC  Bay Psychiatric Center  Bay Psychiatric Center  Bay Psychiatric Center  Bay Psychiatric Center  Judith R Milner MD  Dale F Sobotka MD  Cascade Psychiatric Services  John M Zimburean MD  Otis E Payne MD  James A Salmon MD  Heritage Counseling Associates  Mill Creek Psychiatry, PLLC  Michael G Deming MD  Pacific Institute of Mental Health  Terence F McGuire MD  Woodinville Psychiatric Associates  Woodinville Psychiatric Associates  Patrick L Mathiasen MD  Sleep Medicine Associates  Sound Sleep Health  Pacific Medical Centers  Pacific Medical Centers  ABCD Inc  Sue M Wood MD  Owen E Clark MD  Evergreen Clinic  Evergreen Clinic  Evergreen Clinic  Psychiatry for Women  Phillip A Cohen MD  Martin M Johnson MD  Lynne Anne Wilk MD  Samaritan Center of Puget Sound  Steve R Mitchell MD  Pacific Neuropsychiatric Institute  Psychiatry Associates  Psychiatry Associates  Mary H Shwetz MD  Psychiatry Associates  Robert G Janes MD  Drs Forslund & Innes  Drs Forslund & Innes  Childrens Hospital Regional Medical Center  Childrens Hospital Regional Medical Center  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  UWMC Roosevelt General Internal Medicine Center  Jeffrey C Sung MD  UWMC Roosevelt Outpatient Psychiatry Center  Anna M Harvey MD  Elizabeth A Noll MD  Lake Union Psychiatric Group  Lake Union Psychiatric Group  Lake Union Psychiatric Group  Lake Union Psychiatric Group  CHDD Clinic  Hall Health Primary Care Center  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  CHDD Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  UWMC Inpatient Psychiatry Clinic  Judith Eve Lipton MD  Margaret A Cashman MD  Martha A Bird MD  Silverdale Psychiatric Services  Seth A Cohen MD  Richard T Adamson MD  East Lake Counseling Group  Ellen F Gottheil MD  East Lake Counseling Group  Northwest Psychoanalytic Building  Northwest Psychoanalytic Building  Northwest Psychoanalytic Building  Northwest Psychoanalytic Building  Darlene H Gabanek MD  Lori Rubens MD  Margaret E Bangs MD  Cynthia L Dyess MD  Brooke J Thorner MD  Norman F Peterson MD  Ronald G Early MD  Doron Raphaely MD Bellingham, WashingtonUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Bellingham
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Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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