Substance Abuse

Substance abuse or dependence is defined as an illness in which a person persists in the use of a substance (alcohol/drugs/smoking) despite experiencing significant problems caused by the use of the substance. One of the hardest and most painful parts of substance abuse for those who suffer from it, is that they may be aware of the need to curb the use of the substance but are unable to do so. 

Significant advances have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and management of substance abuse over the past 30 years. For those of us in the medical profession who treat patients with substance abuse, there are a number of important tools that we can use to help patients. It is usually a combination of many different approaches that is required to help people with substance abuse overcome their problem, which include an initial detoxification, followed by deaddiction, including both pharmacological and psychological therapies.

Substance abuse or dependence is often seen in conjunction with other conditions such as depression, stress and anxiety or personality problems. In my practice, I as a psychiatrist focus on treating patients who are suffering not just from substance abuse but also other co-existing conditions.