Substance Addiction Treatment
AMG provides discrete, office-based treatment for dependence on opiates, alcohol and other substances in a quiet practice setting. This form of treatment is ideal for those individuals seeking one-on-one, private treatment with an experienced physician, utilizing the latest treatment options without the constraints of an intensive outpatient or residential program.
The focus is on recovery. Each individual’s journey begins with a one-hour intake visit to determine his or her specific needs, thus creating a tailored treatment solution. After the first few visits, on-going treatment consists of monthly visits. The duration of office-based treatment varies, but most patients can expect treatment to last several months to over a year, depending on his or her unique circumstances. It should be noted that office-based treatment is not for everybody. Those individuals requiring a higher level of care (i.e. acute drug detoxification, comprehensive inpatient or intensive outpatient substance treatment) are generally not good candidates. Office-based treatment may be appropriate for individuals who have successfully completed a higher level of treatment, or those who can transition from a state of using to non-using without significant difficulty.
Privacy is a top priority. Appointments are booked with ample time between visits to avoid interactions between patients. All information gathered is maintained in HIPAA-compliant medical records; protected health information is never released to any other parties without the patient’s written consent via signed records release.
Certain medications can be helpful. Although the main purpose of treatment is to achieve and maintain sobriety, the transition from a state of using to non-using can be difficult. Patients commonly complain of cravings for opiates or alcohol, and in some cases experience opiate withdrawal. Medications like buprenorphine (Suboxone®) and naltrexone (Vivitrol®) can assist patients with these bothersome symptoms. Suboxone (taken daily) is commonly used for opiate cravings and withdrawal symptoms; Vivitrol (injected monthly) is used to manage alcohol and opiate cravings. The use of these medications depends on each individual’s needs. Certain opiate-dependent patients (e.g. heroin) may benefit from Vivitrol, whereas others may benefit from Suboxone. Subutex (generic buprenorphine without naloxone) is generally not prescribed unless the individual has a known allergic reaction to naloxone, is pregnant, or nursing. Finally, AMG does not provide methadone maintenance treatment.