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What is Psychiatric Medication Management?
Psychiatric medication management is the process of professional monitoring of the administration and results of someone taking psych meds. It must be done by a psychotherapy professional trained to lead someone through the process of adjusting to taking meds and receiving continued care through follow-up appointments. The process of psychiatric medication management takes place over time via follow-up appointments that can happen within a formal treatment program or other types of care.
How Does Medication Management Work?
Management begins with an initial appointment in which a person receives a full diagnosis so that they and their manager understand their exact conditions. This can include mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or both, a condition known as dual diagnosis. A decision on what medications to take or, in the case of someone already using meds, which ones to continue taking, will be made. From there, any needed changes in dosages, new medications to begin, or discontinuation of meds will be made.
The individuals receiving psychiatric medication management speak to their manager about how they are feeling, any side effects they are experiencing and ask any questions they have. This helps take any guesswork out of the procedure. The manager becomes a partner in the process, keeping track of details of the medications while the person concentrates on healing from their disorders.
Benefits of Psychiatric Medication Management for Addiction
Psychiatric medication management can provide help for someone in treatment for addiction to drugs or alcohol. The manager can chart the progress made as the individual moves from detox to residential or outpatient care. Additionally, they can help make plans for any needed meds to use after formal treatment ends.
Many people deal with fewer cravings for substances as they spend more time in recovery. Because of this, they often need adjustments to the dosage of their meds as they taper down. Receiving supervision while they attempt to stop taking medication once it’s served its purpose can go easier when someone oversees the process. Medication management can prove particularly important for someone addicted to opiates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.
Who is a Candidate for Psychiatric Medication Management?
Anyone taking psychiatric medication can benefit from the management of the process. The two most common populations who qualify for this include those taking meds for mental health disorders and substance use disorders. As well, many people deal with both conditions and take more than one medication.
Having someone supervise this process can provide a smoother time while taking the medications. With both mental illness and addiction, there may be several types of meds tried and different dosage adjustments. Those people who try to manage this alone often find the process frustrating and confusing. For certain conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders, it can be a challenge for the person to keep track of their medication usage. Managers can keep records of this, as well as encourage each person to understand the importance of consistently taking their meds.
Types of Medications Used for Addiction + Mental Health Disorders
Any number of medications may be prescribed to a person undergoing treatment for addiction or mental health disorders. Many of these drugs can be part of medication management, including:
- Mood Stabilizers: Commonly used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
- Anxiety Medications: While these can be used for anxiety that is a direct result of a mental health disorder, they also prove beneficial for many people experiencing anxiety when going off drugs or alcohol.
- Anti-depressants: Similar to anxiety medications, anti-depressants aren’t just for someone with a mood disorder. They often help with withdrawal symptoms experienced when a person stops abusing drugs or alcohol.
- Anti-psychotics: This type of medication helps with thought disorders, such as schizophrenia.
Psychiatric Medication Management at Creekside Recovery Residences