Drug Abuse Center - Santa Maria, CASanta Maria 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 Santa Maria * Angeline DeGuzman MD  Rand C Ritchie MD  Louise B Buck MD  Sorina Carabeth MD  Rose A Drago MD  Nir Y Lorant MD  David E Powles MD  Pedro D. Guimaraes, MD  Daniel Gordon MD  Gary D Stanwyck MD  Central Coast Psychiatric Consultants  Central Coast Psychiatric Consultants  Richard CH Bell MD  Coastal Psychiatry Care  Coastal Psychiatry Care  Douglas P Murphy MD  Mikhail Meyerovich MD  Psychiatric Health Facility  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Psychiatric Health Facility  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Calle Real Mental Health Services  Psychiatric Health Facility  Donald Slutzky MD  Dennis Ashley MD & Joyce Ashley MD  George M Bifano MD  Gary D Hanson MD  Joseph I Stapen MD  Michael V Stulberg MD  Gerald A Correa MD  Medical Foundation Clinic Psychiatry Dept  Medical Foundation Clinic Psychiatry Dept  James W Teague MD  Marjorie S Gies MD  Glenn E Miller MD  Cambria Family Counseling Center  Sherif El-Asyouty MD  Jerry P Martin MD  John E Nelson MD  Robert M Carvalho MD  Ronald D Sager MD  Tice Psychiatry Inc  John A Cervantes MD  Ronald D Pollack MD  Lee D Mendiola MD  Lee D Mendiola MD  Kaiser Permanente Buenaventura Hill Road  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Truxtun Psychiatric Group  Raul Y Mendoza MD  Gregory E Gray MD  Ventura Psychiatric Medical Group  Ventura Psychiatric Medical Group  Ventura Psychiatric Medical Group  Gary M Farber MD  Calvin J Flowers MD Santa Maria, CaliforniaUpcoming 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 AbuseWhat is job stress?Job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury. The concept of job stress is often confused with challenge, but these concepts are not the same. Challenge energizes us psychologically and physically, and it motivates us to learn new skills and master our jobs. When a challenge is met, we feel relaxed and satisfied. Thus, challenge is an important ingredient for healthy and productive work. The importance of challenge in our work lives is probably what people are referring to when they say "a little bit of stress is good for you." When the challenge has turned into job demands that cannot be met, relaxation has turned to exhaustion, and a sense of satisfaction has turned into feelings of stress, the sate is set for illness, injury and job failur... Other Related Drug Abuse ArticlesEmergency Contact for Santa Maria
Nearby Santa Maria Hospitals *Marian Medical Center Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Lompoc Valley Medical Center French Hospital Medical Center Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital 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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