Psychiatric Care
Psychiatric Care
Psychiatric Care
Mental health issues and psychiatric problems will often be implicated in the onset of addiction. They may also arise as a result of addiction. It frequently becomes evident that addiction develops when an individual self-medicates an undiagnosed mental condition, such as depression, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, or even schizophrenia.
While addiction may be the presenting issue and the immediate reason for admission to an exclusive luxury rehab like Westchester Foundation, our experienced medical team, including addiction psychiatrists, will remain alert to the possibility of co-existing disorders and will provide psychiatric care. This holistic approach ensures that we view the individual as a whole, rather than just through the lens of one condition. By doing so, we will devise a treatment plan that is appropriately tailored to meet the individual’s needs.
Assessment
The psychiatric care assessment process will take into account not only the information received prior to arrival but also the thorough psychiatric assessment conducted upon admission. Acknowledging the anxious, demoralized, or possibly defensive state in which patients often arrive, the psychiatric assessment will sensitively explore the individual’s life history, including family background, as well as current circumstances that may be causing harm.
We will discuss any previous experiences with mental health issues and psychiatric treatment, along with the course of addiction to date and any prior attempts at recovery, whether supported by treatment or not. It is vital to gather information that builds a comprehensive picture to inform treatment planning. While much of the assessment work will focus on revealing the nature, extent, and severity of problems to guide treatment decisions, it will also be an opportunity to identify strengths that can provide a foundation for recovery.
Treatment Planning
The treatment plan will be iterative rather than fixed. It will be continually reviewed and subject to change as the individual progresses through treatment. It is not uncommon for a provisional diagnosis to be refined or even rendered obsolete as the person’s profile can change quickly once abstinence from addictive substances or behaviors has been established through detoxification. A previously identified mental illness may no longer be evident once the individual is free from the effects of substances. Conversely, underlying signs of mental ill health may emerge or become more apparent during this process.
Managing Risk
Psychiatric care will include maintaining vigilant oversight of ongoing risks to health and life. Addiction is a potentially fatal, self-harming condition, with relapse during or soon after treatment posing a particular danger. There may also be a risk of suicide, which will require careful consideration, especially if there have been previous attempts.
Addiction may lead individuals to such a low state that they perceive fewer options in life. Those who become clinically depressed may temporarily require appropriate medication to alleviate severe symptoms. We will assess and monitor other self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or disordered eating.
Other Co-existing Conditions
Our treatment team will also recognize the possibility of other conditions. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly understood to contribute to the onset of addiction in many individuals. Some individuals with autism may develop addictions as a means of managing everyday life, dealing with feelings of not fitting in, and coping with sensory hypersensitivity.
Moreover, individuals with personality disorders—while not classified as mental illnesses—may turn to substances as a way to cope with life’s challenges. They may exhibit impulsivity, high anxiety, relationship difficulties, and self-harming behaviors beyond addiction. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may also be relevant, often linked to past trauma. We will carefully assess the person’s current capacity, coherence, and resilience before addressing these damaging experiences directly.
Brain Function
Certain addictions will directly impact brain function and may do so permanently. For instance, chronic alcohol dependence is known to be neurotoxic, leading to cognitive deficits that can impair thinking and memory. This is one reason why clinical psychologists will work alongside psychiatrists in addiction treatment. Psychological assessments may be necessary to evaluate the degree and type of brain damage.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team
An essential aspect of the treatment model employed by exclusive rehab centers like Westchester Foundation will be the multi-disciplinary treatment and care team. This approach will combine a range of expertise and diverse skills in the delivery of treatment.
Recognizing that addiction is not solely a psychiatric disorder, we will approach it as a condition affecting the mind, body, and spirit, with significant social dimensions. The team approach will acknowledge that recovery cannot be achieved solely through psychiatric treatment.
While the psychiatrist will lead psychiatric diagnosis and interventions, including prescribing medication for mental health conditions, they will collaborate with colleagues possessing different expertise in shaping and developing the overall treatment plan.
As soon as possible, we will shift our focus from an immediate treatment plan addressing health problems to a recovery plan. While the psychiatrist will remain available, the responsibility of helping individuals work toward achieving sustainable recovery will increasingly fall to the psycho-social and physiotherapeutic teams, with support from nutritionists and peers.
Aftercare
Treatment and recovery planning will not be limited to the treatment episode and stay at a luxury addiction treatment center like Westchester Foundation. The information gathered before and during treatment will inform our plans for sustaining recovery in the long term through our aftercare program.
The psychiatrist will provide input into such planning as needed, especially if mental health issues persist and there remains an ongoing need for psychotropic medication. Stability will be vital for recovery, and such medication may be essential for some individuals.
This overview will describe psychiatric care in the context of addiction treatment. While “psychiatric” denotes a critical component of the support provided, it is important to recognize that “care” is equally significant. The two will work hand in hand.
Psychiatric Care
Mental health issues and psychiatric problems will often be implicated in the onset of addiction. They may also arise as a result of addiction. It frequently becomes evident that addiction develops when an individual self-medicates an undiagnosed mental condition, such as depression, severe anxiety, bipolar disorder, or even schizophrenia.
While addiction may be the presenting issue and the immediate reason for admission to an exclusive luxury rehab like Westchester Foundation, our experienced medical team, including addiction psychiatrists, will remain alert to the possibility of co-existing disorders and will provide psychiatric care. This holistic approach ensures that we view the individual as a whole, rather than just through the lens of one condition. By doing so, we will devise a treatment plan that is appropriately tailored to meet the individual’s needs.
Assessment
The psychiatric care assessment process will take into account not only the information received prior to arrival but also the thorough psychiatric assessment conducted upon admission. Acknowledging the anxious, demoralized, or possibly defensive state in which patients often arrive, the psychiatric assessment will sensitively explore the individual’s life history, including family background, as well as current circumstances that may be causing harm.
We will discuss any previous experiences with mental health issues and psychiatric treatment, along with the course of addiction to date and any prior attempts at recovery, whether supported by treatment or not. It is vital to gather information that builds a comprehensive picture to inform treatment planning. While much of the assessment work will focus on revealing the nature, extent, and severity of problems to guide treatment decisions, it will also be an opportunity to identify strengths that can provide a foundation for recovery.
Treatment Planning
Managing Risk
Psychiatric care will include maintaining vigilant oversight of ongoing risks to health and life. Addiction is a potentially fatal, self-harming condition, with relapse during or soon after treatment posing a particular danger. There may also be a risk of suicide, which will require careful consideration, especially if there have been previous attempts.
Addiction may lead individuals to such a low state that they perceive fewer options in life. Those who become clinically depressed may temporarily require appropriate medication to alleviate severe symptoms. We will assess and monitor other self-harming behaviors, such as cutting or disordered eating.
Other Co-existing Conditions
Our treatment team will also recognize the possibility of other conditions. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasingly understood to contribute to the onset of addiction in many individuals. Some individuals with autism may develop addictions as a means of managing everyday life, dealing with feelings of not fitting in, and coping with sensory hypersensitivity.
Moreover, individuals with personality disorders—while not classified as mental illnesses—may turn to substances as a way to cope with life’s challenges. They may exhibit impulsivity, high anxiety, relationship difficulties, and self-harming behaviors beyond addiction. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may also be relevant, often linked to past trauma. We will carefully assess the person’s current capacity, coherence, and resilience before addressing these damaging experiences directly.
Brain Function
Certain addictions will directly impact brain function and may do so permanently. For instance, chronic alcohol dependence is known to be neurotoxic, leading to cognitive deficits that can impair thinking and memory. This is one reason why clinical psychologists will work alongside psychiatrists in addiction treatment. Psychological assessments may be necessary to evaluate the degree and type of brain damage.
The Multi-Disciplinary Team
An essential aspect of the treatment model employed by exclusive rehab centers like Westchester Foundation will be the multi-disciplinary treatment and care team. This approach will combine a range of expertise and diverse skills in the delivery of treatment.
Recognizing that addiction is not solely a psychiatric disorder, we will approach it as a condition affecting the mind, body, and spirit, with significant social dimensions. The team approach will acknowledge that recovery cannot be achieved solely through psychiatric treatment.
While the psychiatrist will lead psychiatric diagnosis and interventions, including prescribing medication for mental health conditions, they will collaborate with colleagues possessing different expertise in shaping and developing the overall treatment plan.
As soon as possible, we will shift our focus from an immediate treatment plan addressing health problems to a recovery plan. While the psychiatrist will remain available, the responsibility of helping individuals work toward achieving sustainable recovery will increasingly fall to the psycho-social and physiotherapeutic teams, with support from nutritionists and peers.
Aftercare
Treatment and recovery planning will not be limited to the treatment episode and stay at a luxury addiction treatment center like Westchester Foundation. The information gathered before and during treatment will inform our plans for sustaining recovery in the long term through our aftercare program.
The psychiatrist will provide input into such planning as needed, especially if mental health issues persist and there remains an ongoing need for psychotropic medication. Stability will be vital for recovery, and such medication may be essential for some individuals.
This overview will describe psychiatric care in the context of addiction treatment. While “psychiatric” denotes a critical component of the support provided, it is important to recognize that “care” is equally significant. The two will work hand in hand.