Roger Williams Medical Center: Substance Abuse/Addiction Medicine

*The Price We All Pay: Addictions in the Workplace

Substance Abuse/Addiction Medicine

Taking drugs, whether recreational or prescription, may lead to mental and physical dependence. Drugs and alcohol can seduce anyone, from children to seniors. Family and friends often don't see the problem until the substance use starts to change the user's thoughts and behavior. There may be a change in mood or temperament; the user may become withdrawn; job or school performance may decline. When confronted, the user usually denies the problem.

Fortunately, substance abuse is treatable. Modern programs provide support for the whole person by treating the mind's craving as well as the bodily addiction and offering psychological counseling. Additionally, these programs often include counseling for the family of the addict to help family members cope with the problem and provide understanding and support to the addict.

Addiction medicine specialists have general medicine skills plus some psychiatric training, and are concerned with substance abuse prevention, diagnosis, treatment of withdrawal, medical or psychiatric complications, and recovery monitoring. Psychiatrists who specialize in the field often treat addiction as a symptom of underlying medical or psychiatric problems. Their training spans pharmacology, psychiatry, general medicine and psychology.

At Roger Williams Medical Center, our substance abuse/addiction program is run by medical professionals who provide the full range of care:

Physical withdrawal support
Long-term therapy
Counseling
A 15-bed, inpatient unit that gives patients 3-5 days to detoxify. Following treatment in this unit, patients are referred to further, appropriate treatment options.

For help finding or scheduling an appointment with a substance abuse/addition medicine specialist, please use our Physician Finder.