Topics: Addiction | Free Articles | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

If a patient comes in and says, “doc, I think I need to go to rehab,” what should you do? Most people think of rehabs as residential facilities, but these days, the term “rehab” includes a broad spectrum of treatment settings, most of which, in fact, are not residential—only 10% of people receiving specialized addiction services go to residential rehab.

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

What goes on inside a residential rehab program? Inquiring minds would love to know, especially those of us who are treating addicts and counseling concerned family members. Rehab has traditionally been a kind of black box, an opaque entity where addicts enter, and 30 days later exit with an epiphany and a lifelong commitment to sobriety. Until they relapse and go back to another rehab, that is.

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Substance Abuse

How should we talk about marijuana with our patients? Psychiatrists are often called upon to describe the adverse effects of smoking marijuana and asked about legitimate medical benefits. Here's an overview of ways to answer those questions.

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

There is a wide array of treatment options for patients with various levels of addiction issues, but of those rehab is one of the most well-known. Dr. Willenbring makes the argument that inpatient rehab is not an effective method to combat addiction.

Topics: Addiction | Practice Tools and Tips | Psychotherapy | Substance Abuse

An intervention has become the starting place for an addict's journey to rehab. We all have a notion of family and friends gathering around a patient and sharing their feelinings. Mr. Gallant is a professional interventionist, who has planned and executed interventions for 28 years. This interview shares his expertise in the area and provides his sense of how interventions fit into the addiction treatment process.