Whether you’re looking for help for yourself or for a loved one — we’re glad you’re here. Exploring what medical options are available for taking control of alcohol addiction is a big step on the road to recovery. Dr. Hege specializes in prescribing and managing outpatient medication treatment to help alcohol cravings and increase the chances of staying sober.
Types of Medication Treatment
Some medication treatments include Campral, Topamax, Antabuse or Vivitrol. Vivitrol is a rather new treatment for alcohol abuse and addiction. The intramuscular injection is administered once a month and slowly absorbs into the bloodstream. The active medication, naltrexone, appears to help by reducing cravings and reducing euphoria if alcohol is ingested. The medication is also available orally daily for the same effect; however, patients may forget or decide not to take the oral medication every day. Instead, by making a positive decision once a month with the injection the patient gets the benefits of that one decision over the entire next month.
Addictionist and Psychiatrist
About half of patients with substance abuse disorders also have a non-addiction condition present. By having an addiction specialist who is also a psychiatrist, patients can benefit from the recognition and treatment of co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or other disorders. An addiction specialist who is also a psychiatrist is well prepared to evaluate and prescribe medication for potential co-occurring psychiatric conditions that may be contributing to the development and perpetuation of the alcohol problem. Proper diagnoses and treatment can signification improve the chances of maintaining sobriety.
If you would like to be evaluated for a medication that may help reduce or stop drinking, contact Dr. Hege, an Atlanta alcohol addiction specialist.
I have been going to Dr. Hege for a few years now and have only good things to say about his practice and staff. They have always been very courteous and professional and are extremely easy to work with as far as scheduling appointments.
Dr. Darvin Hege, MD, PC, is a board certified addiction specialist based in Atlanta, Georgia, and certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He is an Emory Hospital residency trained psychiatrist who has been practicing psychiatry for more than 25 years. He maintains over 50 hours of AMA certified education each year to stay informed of advances in psychiatry. Dr. Hege is passionate about using the most advanced technology, new medicines, and refined diagnoses to ensure his patients receive the best possible care.
Dr. Hege’s Atlanta psychiatric practice focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and medication management of alcoholism treatment, substance addiction, adult ADHD, panic attacks, PTSD, depression and bipolar disorder.