CodeNameGiggles

This was the best place I could think of to ask this question because I don't want to unintentionally sway my husband away from seeking any type of health. And I'm sure this is probably a dumb question.

My husband took a flying leap off the proverbial wagon this weekend while away on vacation without me, but immediately called his sponsor and is returning to regular meetings. One of the things he mentioned was going back to see the addiction psychiatrist that was part of the detox/rehab program he went through two years ago.

I googled the various types of mental health professionals. My only concern is that the psychiatrist seemed more inclined to prescribe him medication than provide any type of therapy, but I'm not sure if that's because that's how psychiatrists are generally, or how addiction psychiatrists are? Do psychiatrists give any sort of other therapeutic assistance or are they purely a diagnose/prescribe type?

Justfor1

These days most psychiatrists will mostly just prescribe medication and recommend a good therapist. Some some still do both but their much harder to find.

DreamsofSerenity

My sister was very mentally ill. She saw psychiatrists for her meds, and psychologists or therapists for counseling.

Florence

Most people who see one will see the other. Meds will only do so much. Therapy will only do so much without the meds.

In my experience, take it or leave it, people looking for meds-only know they have uncomfortable truths to work through in therapy or in the step work of AA. They just want a quick fix.

But like everything else related to the body, big changes are hard work and the result of vigilance. It's like those weight loss commercials that guarantee you can drop 25 pounds without diet and exercise. It's just not how it works.

Tuffgirl

This has been my experience as well. A good addictions specialist at the therapist level (usually those with a LCSW, LPC, LMFT credential or below) deals with the mental health aspect, while a psychiatrist deals with the physical health aspect (of one's brain and body). Most psychiatrists these days rarely do much psychotherapy.

Joe Nerv

I've gone to about 4 psychiatrists. All of them prescribed medication, and it seemed that was their function.

I agree with what Florence said. I'm not a fan of medication, but my opinion regarding that seems to get me in hot water around here. Because I wasn't offered medication in the beginning of my recovery, I was forced to do things I'd have never been motivated to do otherwise. I had no other option than to get super involved in AA and aftercare, and I overcame completely crippling fears and phobia. I was agoraphobic for 4 years before entering recovery. Couldn't get to the corner store with out being loaded up on alcohol or valium. In the end I could no longer even talk on the phone as I would gag and dry heave from my nerves being so twisted. I know others who had similar (and not even as severe problems) who went the medical route, and never got over their issues. I think it's sad, and I think it's also important that I share my experience.

Not saying that medication has no place in people's lives, either. I just believe it should be used only as an absolute last resort when all else has failed. If there is a possiblity of moving through things without it, I think the benefits of doing so are enormous. My opinion. And my experience.

CodeNameGiggles

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense given how the whole system worked for that program. He was fishing for an opinion while insisting he didn't need depression medication, which he had been on prior to his first go round but hasn't been on since. I met his addictions therapist while he was in IOP. Hopefully the psychiatrist will nudge him to see her again.

NYCDoglvr

I'm a recovering alcoholic (21+ years) and I also suffer from major depression. I see the psychiatrist every three weeks to talk about meds and a wonderful cognitive therapist for my screwed up thinking, lol.

Your husband sounds willing to get sober again and if he needs his shrink I wouldn't question it.