Drug Abuse Center - Walnut Creek, CAWalnut Creek 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 Walnut Creek * Jules M Tanenbaum MD  Kaiser Permanente Psychiatry  Lawrence H Diller MD  Kaiser Permanente Psychiatry  David Z Ritvo MD  Samuel G Benson MD  Mel McGraw MD  Steven A Schane MD  Michael J Schwab MD  M Randall Bloch MD  David Golub MD  Comprehensive Psychiatry Services  Kiran Koka MD  Zena C Potash MD  Comprehensive Psychiatry Services  Melinda Young MD  Robert I Picker MD  Michael H Levin MD  John R Rostkowski MD  Raymond Ruzicano MD  Hugh R Winig MD  Ernest F Pecci MD  Allan B Barza MD  Robert Hepps MD  Nestor Vaschetto MD  William H Fisher MD  Alan F Scott MD  Howard J Weisman MD PC  Francis Barham MD  Contra Costa County Mental Health  California Psychiatric Medical Group  California Psychiatric Medical Group  California Psychiatric Medical Group  T J Toranto MD  Philip W Shain MD  Nagui S Achamallah MD  Rochelle H Gordon MD  Daniel C Dinaburg MD  Karen J Leo MD  Bernard S Rappaport MD  James S Gracer MD  Contra Costa Regional Medical Center  Contra Costa Regional Medical Center  Brad Gould MD  Jerome A Hanowsky MD  Alonza C Johnson MD  East Bay Psychopharmacology Group  East Bay Psychopharmacology Group  East Bay Psychopharmacology Group  Andrew Krompier MD  Janice Jones MD  Schuman-Liles Clinic  Schuman-Liles Clinic  Schuman-Liles Clinic  Phyllis Cedars MD  Berkley Psychotherapy  Carolyn Z Wilson MD  Mitchell D Wilson MD  Bennett F Markel MD  Jeremy Pearce Hurley MD  Alan Siegel MD  Patricia L Speier MD  Richard C Unger MD  Sara Hartley MD  Jeffrey F Johns MD  Steven Baskin MD  Ronald L Elson MD  Andrew T Haber MD  Terry Kupers MD  Roger Mendelson MD  Judy Schwartz MD  Edmund C Levin MD  John George Psychiatry Pavilion  Marcia Dillon MD  Robert A Epstein MD  Katherine MacVicar MD  F S Seifried MD  Justin Simon MD  Jane L Dulay MD  Joan Facher MD  Peter E Freedman MD  Kathryn J Lee MD  Michael Lesser MD  George H Stewart MD  Frank T Lossy & Donald H Stanford MD  Thomas R Powers MD  Frank T Lossy & Donald H Stanford MD  Leonard J Duhl MD  Monika M Eisenbud MD  Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Psychiatry  Walter D Moorhead MD  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Bay Psychiatric Associates  Harold Goldberg MD  Bay Area Behavioral Health Walnut Creek, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-16
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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 AbuseSmoking (How to Quit Smoking) » Smoking and quitting smoking facts
Other Related Drug Abuse ArticlesEmergency Contact for Walnut Creek
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Suggested Reading on Drug Abuse by Our Doctors
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