Medication Management for Substance Use and Mental Health Recovery in Los Angeles

Substance use and mental health recovery options in Los Angeles have grown leaps and bounds to integrate advanced, cutting-edge options like medication management to lay the foundation for your healing and well-being.

Unfortunately, the role of medication in your healing is often misunderstood. Films and television portray it as a pill you can pop to feel good, but this is just sensationalism. This is why NuView’s medication management plans are carefully crafted based on your medical history and symptoms to alleviate your struggles while also ensuring you do not experience side effects or misuse.

Medication management is prescribing, monitoring, and adjusting medicines based on your substance use and mental health history, symptoms, and needs for an effective recovery. Medicines are prescribed by board-certified physicians and psychiatric practitioners in collaboration with you.

Linda Whiteside, Clinical Supervisor at the NuView Treatment Center, says, “Medications for behavioral health neurotransmitters - chemical messengers in your brain that contribute to your struggles. Depending on your diagnosis and symptoms, you will be prescribed FDA-approved anxiolytics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and so on.”

Prescribing medications for substance use and mental health needs looks something like this:

• Psychiatric Evaluation: A psych eval is conducted to understand your medical history, symptoms, and needs. Through physical and psychological examinations, doctors ensure medications are safe and beneficial for you.
• Prescribing Medications: Based on the diagnosis, a personalized medication plan is created in collaboration with you, ensuring the safest and most effective options with fewer side effects.
• Monitoring and Adjusting: Medication management continues beyond prescription, with doctors monitoring side effects and adjusting, continuing, or changing medications based on your response and dosage needs.

Linda Whiteside says, “It is common to be wary of medications for your behavioral health needs. This is why we focus on the 'five rights' to ensure your safety and healing - right person, right medication, right dosage, right time, and right route.”

Medication management is an evidence-based method of treating substance misuse and mental health needs - you will stand to gain the following benefits:

• Alleviates symptoms such as inner pain and emotional suffering.
• Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Keeps you on track with your recovery.
• Prevents relapse and enhances the chances of lifelong recovery.
• Improves overall quality of life.
• Prevents unwanted side effects and potentially dangerous drug interactions.

Despite the right medication and dose, you can experience some side effects, such as:

• Skin rash.
• Lethargy.
• Drowsiness.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face.
• Hives.
• Body tremors.
• Abnormal movements such as twitching.
• Confusion.
• Body pains and aches.
• Sleep troubles.
• Changes in appetite and weight.
• Blurred vision.
• Unsteady gait.
• Heart arrhythmias.
• Breathing troubles.
• Tardive dyskinesia.
• Prescription medication misuse.

Linda Whiteside cautions, “If you experience any of these side effects, reach out to your doctor right away before they become serious. Some of them, like swelling of your lips, tongue, or face, hives, and difficult breathing, can be life-threatening, while tardive dyskinesia can become long-term.”

When you reach out to your doctor, your medication and dose can be adjusted or changed so that you do not experience any of these unwanted effects and only the best outcomes. However, do not make any adjustments or changes on your own - this can be ineffective and dangerous.

Here are some strategies for effective medication management you can begin with:

• Be Open and Honest With Your Doctor: Share your medical history, symptoms, and any medications or supplements you are taking so your doctor can make informed and safe treatment decisions.
• Build a Routine: Integrate medication into your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth or bathing. Consistency helps it become a seamless habit.
• Track Prescriptions: When managing multiple prescriptions, keep them organized—such as in a dedicated file—to ensure accurate and consistent usage.
• Leverage Technology: Use tools like Pill Reminder or Med Tracker apps, sticky notes, or phone alerts to stay on schedule with effective medication management.
• Collaborate With Your Clinical Team: Stay engaged with your clinical team, ask questions, and share concerns so they can support you throughout your recovery.

In Los Angeles, an estimated 1,482,000 struggle with substance misuse. On average, 33% of the time, they overlap with other mental health symptoms and conditions. Medication management is crucial to your treatment in Los Angeles. It reduces your symptoms and the risk of relapse.

Linda Whiteside says, “At NuView’s Los Angeles facility, we notice that when medication management is integrated into your recovery with psychotherapy, it increases treatment adherence and even reduces the severity of substance misuse and co-occurring mental health symptoms by at least 50%.”

If you are struggling with substance use or mental health symptoms, reach out to NuView today. If your diagnosis requires medicines, our board-certified physicians and psychiatric practitioners will collaborate with you to create a personalized medication management plan for you. We also involve your family and loved ones so that you can feel supported in this journey.

Please contact us at (323) 307-7997 to connect with our experts to begin healing today!

1. Why is medication management used in substance misuse and mental health treatment?

Medication management is used in substance misuse and mental health treatment because it alleviates your symptoms and reduces the risk of relapse.

2. What kind of medicines are used in substance misuse and mental health treatment?

FDA-approved medications like anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and others are used in substance misuse and mental health treatment.

3. Who prescribes medicines?

Board-certified physicians and psychiatric practitioners typically prescribe medicines.

4. Do psychologists prescribe medicines?

No, psychologists do not typically prescribe medicines except in states like Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico.

5. Is medication management covered by insurance?

When medication management is integrated into broader rehab programs, it is covered by insurance. Otherwise, it depends on your insurance policy. You can contact your insurance provider or even call NuView at (323) 307-7997, and we can verify your insurance for you.