How to find a doctor?
Thriving sober since 12/18/08
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 3,115
Honestly, I just googled "addictions counseling" or "addictions psychologist" in my city, and checked to see if they were on my insurance list. After talking to 2 or 3, I found a perfect match, and saw him 2x a week for 6 months or so..
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
There is a specialty with it's own certification and quality assurance... American Society of Addiction Medicine... ASAM... Check the website... ASAM - American Society of Addiction Medicine
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
I looked in my yellow pages, and there were a couple of doctors that advertised a specialty in addiction/detox. You could also call a rehab center in your area for a recommendation or your local AA hotline. Good luck!!!!!
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Posts: 285
This site may be easier to navigate than ASAM but not as complete: Addiction Medicine Doctors by State (Addiction Medicine Physicians)
You need to understand that addiction medicine is a relatively new field and depending on where you live there may not be many practicing it, i.e. if you are in Southern California there will be a ton, but not so much in the midwest or other parts of the US. Also, you need to clear on what you are looking for. There are psychiatrist and psychologists who specialize in addiction and primarily offer therapy. There are also addictionologists which are basically the addicts version of a general practicioner--MD's that can help you find treatment, go through detox, prescribe meds for detox, and also help you with recovery. Often they are in recovery themselves. There are addiction medicine specialists that do not call themselves addictionologists as well, often these doctors are attached to treatment facilities but may have outside practices as well (Like Dr. Drew). Finally, there are plenty of doctors who do not specialize in the field but are entirely qualified to help you out. The best way to figure out who is qualified is word of mouth, like artsoul said, call around to recovery houses and ask around for a reccomendation. Best of luck.
You need to understand that addiction medicine is a relatively new field and depending on where you live there may not be many practicing it, i.e. if you are in Southern California there will be a ton, but not so much in the midwest or other parts of the US. Also, you need to clear on what you are looking for. There are psychiatrist and psychologists who specialize in addiction and primarily offer therapy. There are also addictionologists which are basically the addicts version of a general practicioner--MD's that can help you find treatment, go through detox, prescribe meds for detox, and also help you with recovery. Often they are in recovery themselves. There are addiction medicine specialists that do not call themselves addictionologists as well, often these doctors are attached to treatment facilities but may have outside practices as well (Like Dr. Drew). Finally, there are plenty of doctors who do not specialize in the field but are entirely qualified to help you out. The best way to figure out who is qualified is word of mouth, like artsoul said, call around to recovery houses and ask around for a reccomendation. Best of luck.
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