Drug Abuse Psychiatrists in 94903

Photo of Edward Oklan, Psychiatrist in 94903, CA
Edward Oklan
Psychiatrist, MD, MPH
Verified Verified
San Rafael, CA 94903  (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
I am an adult, adolescent & child psychiatrist with 45 years of experience serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Please Note: I Am No Longer Taking On Any New Patients. Before seeing a psychiatrist, it is often useful to obtain a comprehensive psychological evaluation. For an excellent initial evaluation and for individual or family psychotherapy, I recommend contacting Ari Oklan, PhD. If medication is required, he can then refer you to a psychiatrist. Ari Oklan, PhD, can be reached by phone at 510-621-7098 (tel:510-621-7098), or Google his website.
I am an adult, adolescent & child psychiatrist with 45 years of experience serving the entire San Francisco Bay Area. Please Note: I Am No Longer Taking On Any New Patients. Before seeing a psychiatrist, it is often useful to obtain a comprehensive psychological evaluation. For an excellent initial evaluation and for individual or family psychotherapy, I recommend contacting Ari Oklan, PhD. If medication is required, he can then refer you to a psychiatrist. Ari Oklan, PhD, can be reached by phone at 510-621-7098 (tel:510-621-7098), or Google his website.
(415) 877-1021 View (415) 877-1021
Photo of David Lindley, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in 94903, CA
David Lindley
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, NP
Verified Verified
San Rafael, CA 94903
I am a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and I approach psychiatric care with a holistic perspective and a focus on your overall well-being. My practice is grounded in psychotropic medication management, bolstered by a commitment to your lifestyle, diet, exercise, and daily habits. I specialize in caring for individuals aged 18 to 65, with a focus on psychotropic medication management. I am most comfortable treating a range of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and Panic Disorder.
I am a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and I approach psychiatric care with a holistic perspective and a focus on your overall well-being. My practice is grounded in psychotropic medication management, bolstered by a commitment to your lifestyle, diet, exercise, and daily habits. I specialize in caring for individuals aged 18 to 65, with a focus on psychotropic medication management. I am most comfortable treating a range of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and Panic Disorder.
(951) 396-4408 View (951) 396-4408
Photo of Steve Balt, Psychiatrist in 94903, CA
Steve Balt
Psychiatrist, MD, MS
Verified Verified
San Rafael, CA 94903
I am a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents with addictions, mood disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and psychosis. I offer both medication management and psychotherapy. My approach to medications is a conservative one: I use medications (including Suboxone) only when patients have a full understanding of their risks and benefits, and I am willing to help patients taper or discontinue medications that provide little benefit, or which cause harm. At all times, I am eager to collaborate with other providers (therapists, counselors, alternative medicine specialists) to provide the optimal care for my patients.
I am a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of adults and adolescents with addictions, mood disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and psychosis. I offer both medication management and psychotherapy. My approach to medications is a conservative one: I use medications (including Suboxone) only when patients have a full understanding of their risks and benefits, and I am willing to help patients taper or discontinue medications that provide little benefit, or which cause harm. At all times, I am eager to collaborate with other providers (therapists, counselors, alternative medicine specialists) to provide the optimal care for my patients.
(415) 789-3715 View (415) 789-3715
Drug Abuse 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.