sn’t a psychiatrist or the mental health system the best place to treat alcoholism?
The best place to treat alcoholism is where the staff is specifically trained for treating that problem. In seeing a psychiatrist or other physician it is most helpful is they are ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) certified. In most cases a psychiatrist is not needed and a regular physician with knowledge of addiction is usually quite competent. If needed the physician will make the psychiatric referral. Question: After an alcoholic has been sober for a few years isn’t it safe for them to drink again? Answer: No! They become extremely toxic and experience symptoms at least as bad as or worse than when they quit. Many who have returned to drinking after some years of being sober die within a few months. The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous has stories of alcoholics who tried this. Question: Isn’t there medication that will help alcoholics to stay sober?
