Drug Abuse Center - West Des Moines, IAWest Des Moines 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 West Des Moines * Midwest Clinical Associates  James Gallagher MD  Kavalier & Associates PC  Bertroche and Associates  Wadle & Associates  Wadle & Associates  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  Innovative Psychiatric Care PC  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Methodist Plaza Specialty Clinic  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Iowa Health Psychiatry Services  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Broadlawns Medical Center  Mark A Preston MD  David E Drake DO  Mark A Preston MD  Mark A Preston MD  IHP Penn Mental Health  Iowa Health Physicians Psychiatry  IHP Penn Mental Health  IHP Penn Mental Health  Iowa Health Physicians Psychiatry  IHP Penn Mental Health  West Central Mental Health Center  James R Trahan MD  Gregory P Barclay MD  Central Iowa Psychological Services  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  McFarland Clinic Neurology & Neurosurgery  Center Associates  Center Associates  Lee & Associates  Laura M VanCleve DO  St Anthony Mental Health Outpatient Services  Carolyn Seifert MD  Southwest Iowa Mental Health Center  Louis P Gerbino MD West Des Moines, IowaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-08
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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 West Des Moines
Nearby West Des Moines Hospitals *Mercy Franklin Center Blank Children's Hospital Iowa Methodist Medical Center VA Central Iowa Health Care Des Moines Broadlawns Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Des Moines Iowa Lutheran Hospital Madison County Healthcare System Dallas County Hospital Mary Greeley Medical Center Boone County Hospital Story County Medical Center 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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