Photo of Samer Mahdi Kamal, Psychiatrist in 90048, CA
Samer Mahdi Kamal
Psychiatrist, MD, ABPN
Verified Verified
West Hollywood, CA 90048  (Online Only)
"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering." - Ben Okri Dr. Samer Kamal is a highly respected, licensed psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorders in Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles area, and Palm Springs, California. Dr. Kamal completed his MD at Loma Linda University, followed by a residency at New York Medical College. Dr. Kamal is passionate about life and people whose goal is to heal the mind and make a real difference in his patients lives.
"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering." - Ben Okri Dr. Samer Kamal is a highly respected, licensed psychiatrist specializing in ADHD, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorders in Beverly Hills and the Los Angeles area, and Palm Springs, California. Dr. Kamal completed his MD at Loma Linda University, followed by a residency at New York Medical College. Dr. Kamal is passionate about life and people whose goal is to heal the mind and make a real difference in his patients lives.
(951) 488-6328 View (951) 488-6328
Substance Use Psychiatrists

How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?

In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.

How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?

Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.

How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.

Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?

There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.