NYC PSYCHIATRY AND PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS – ALCOHOL ABUSE TREATMENT SPECIALISTS IN NYC

Updated by NatanSchleider, M.D. on February 22nd, 2021

NYC Psychiatriry and Primary Care Physicians specialize in treatment of Alcohol Abuse Disorder (formerly called Alcoholism) in Manhattan NYC.

Our American Board of Addiction Medicine [American Board of Addiction Medicine -American Board of Addiction Medicine (abam.net) NYC Board Certified Physicians evaluate, diagnose, and treat alcohol abuse disorder in NYC using every resource available:

Evaluation and Diagnosis of Alcohol Abuse Disorder:

Many people enjoy alcohol, some of us just drink more than we should.

Whether you have genetic risks factors for alcoholism, are binge drinking, or just worried because someone told you they are worried about your alcohol consumption, we are here to help.

So am I an alcoholic or not?

Sounds like a simple question but there is no simple answer.

DSM-5 Category: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

Alcohol use disorder is actually a combination of alcohol-related medical conditions characterized by alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is more commonly referred to as alcoholism. Experts estimate that approximately 18 million Americans suffer from this condition. The intake of alcohol is common in the United States. Many people enjoy a glass of wine for dinner or have a beer at the ballpark. This is not an indication of alcohol abuse. Rather, alcohol use disorder is likely present when the patient’s drinking causes harm or distress.

Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder

According to the DSM-5, the symptoms of alcohol use disorder include a combination of craving, physical dependence, an increasing tolerance for alcohol and loss of control.

Considered individually; craving refers to the driving need for alcohol intake; and many who suffer alcohol use disorder will have withdrawal symptoms without it.

The individual who is alcoholic may be anxious, exhibit tremors or shaking, sweat effusively and be nauseous when they do not have alcohol–this is alcohol withdrawal aka delirum tremens. Sometimes the more the person with alcohol use disorder drinks; the greater amounts of alcohol they need in order to have the same effect (Farren, Hill, & Weiss, 2012).

Some alcohol abusers lack self-control, unable to curb or restrain their drinking.

Others are ‘periodic’ or binge drinkers.’ They are able to go weeks or months without alcohol without issue but when they drink, they often over do it.

Some alcoholics individuals spend as much time as possible in the act of drinking BUT many of our NYC patient that have alcohol use disorders are NOT this cliched type.

Most of our NYC patients with alcohol issues carry full time jobs, excel at work, seem smarter and more intelligent than non-alcoholics. Some run marathons. Some practice medicine. When alcohol use negatively affects work or life does not clarify a diagnosis of alcoholism but is a warning sign.

Alcohol use disorder is linked to high rates of medical and psychiatric comorbidity; and early mortality (Kendler, & Myers, 2012).

It is a chronic condition that is treatable but not treatable.

So how do you officially diagnose alcohol abuse disorder?

After getting a history of of alcohol use, we ask about family history, perform certain screening tests like the AUDIT Alcohol Screening Form

Lab testing like liver tests and Urine ETG can be collected.

Ultrasounds of the liver to assess liver damage can be done.

So how do you treat alcoholism?

Another complicated question.

We use a combination of tools including medicines like naltrexone, naltrexone tablets, naltrexone injection (Vivitrol), Campral, disulfiram (Antabuse), gabapentin (Neurontin) and others.

We also advise talk therapy, and advise fellowship groups the patient wants nonmedical treatment to compliment the medications.

Please contact-us call or text 646-957-5444 for more information.

ABOUT NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians.

NYC primary care doctors in NYC AND primary medical care in NYC are provided under one roofLike an umbrella for two, we Got You Covered!

Updated by Natan Schleider, M.D. March 21st, 2021

Before we offered psychiatric care in NYC AND primary care in NYC we were average patients who lived in New York City.

We noticed some issues:

First of all  NYC psychiatrists ONLY dealt with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health  / psychiatric problems. So they couldn’t even evaluate us for strep throat? Why not, I mean, didn’t they go to medical school.

The second issue: NYC primary care physicians would treat most common medical conditions, but almost always sent us to a NYC psychiatrist for anything mental health care related. That made no sense. For example, if ‘flight related anxiety’ was our concern, NYC PCPS referred us for NYC Psychiatry care. They might sooner advise a few alcoholic drinks at the bar to relax than prescribed a handful of if needed non-controlled anti anxiety medicines? Again, that made no sense to ue.

Dr. Natan Schleider, M.D. recalls the following:

I travelled from Manhattan to Brooklyn, from uptown to downtown. Finding a psychiatrist who worked with my insurance and friendly and accessible was impossible.

After an hour in a crowded waiting room, I’m hustled into a tiny exam room.

The psychiatrist rushed in. ‘Your GP wouldn’t prescribe you Prozac 10 mg, the oldest safest SSRI there is, why?!’ she said.

Before I could shrug she was out the door. My prescription drifted down to the exam table like a feather. The thirty second consult was over.

On the way out, I payed my 20 dollar copay, a lot of money for a college student with six figures of student debt. I was ‘lucky’ according to the receptionist that a follow up appointment was available in exactly 30 days—exactly when I would have zero pills left.

Why did I have to see different doctors to treat my brain and my body?

The concept of one-stop shop is hardly new, it’s a cliché.

Believing that New York City patients benefit from NYC  psychiatrist care AND primary  care under one roof became out goal,

Dr. Natan Schleider, a primary care physician and addiction medicine doctor specializing in mental health, called his friend  Dr. Marc Epstein, a NYC Psychiatrist. They joined forces.

Now NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians  care for New York for our NYC office or via telemedicine, whichever is best for the patient.

Please ­contact us  by calling or texting 646-957-5444 with any questions or schedule an appointment

For more unique info check out our blog.

ABOUT NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians.

NYC primary care doctors in NYC AND primary medical care in NYC are provided under one roofLike an umbrella for two, we Got You Covered!

Updated by Natan Schleider, M.D. March 21st, 2021

Before we offered psychiatric care in NYC AND primary care in NYC we were average patients who lived in New York City.

We noticed some issues:

First of all  NYC psychiatrists ONLY dealt with anxiety, depression, and other common mental health  / psychiatric problems. So they couldn’t even evaluate us for strep throat? Why not, I mean, didn’t they go to medical school.

The second issue: NYC primary care physicians would treat most common medical conditions, but almost always sent us to a NYC psychiatrist for anything mental health care related. That made no sense. For example, if ‘flight related anxiety’ was our concern, NYC PCPS referred us for NYC Psychiatry care. They might sooner advise a few alcoholic drinks at the bar to relax than prescribed a handful of if needed non-controlled anti anxiety medicines? Again, that made no sense to ue.

Dr. Natan Schleider, M.D. recalls the following:

I travelled from Manhattan to Brooklyn, from uptown to downtown. Finding a psychiatrist who worked with my insurance and friendly and accessible was impossible.

After an hour in a crowded waiting room, I’m hustled into a tiny exam room.

The psychiatrist rushed in. ‘Your GP wouldn’t prescribe you Prozac 10 mg, the oldest safest SSRI there is, why?!’ she said.

Before I could shrug she was out the door. My prescription drifted down to the exam table like a feather. The thirty second consult was over.

On the way out, I payed my 20 dollar copay, a lot of money for a college student with six figures of student debt. I was ‘lucky’ according to the receptionist that a follow up appointment was available in exactly 30 days—exactly when I would have zero pills left.

Why did I have to see different doctors to treat my brain and my body?

The concept of one-stop shop is hardly new, it’s a cliché.

Believing that New York City patients benefit from NYC  psychiatrist care AND primary  care under one roof became out goal,

Dr. Natan Schleider, a primary care physician and addiction medicine doctor specializing in mental health, called his friend  Dr. Marc Epstein, a NYC Psychiatrist. They joined forces.

Now NYC Psychiatry and Primary Care Physicians  care for New York for our NYC office or via telemedicine, whichever is best for the patient.

Please ­contact us  by calling or texting 646-957-5444 with any questions or schedule an appointment

For more unique info check out our blog.