Table of Contents
Gabe Lau, PhD, PE
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Gabe Lau is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Providence Treatment Companies.
Evaluation and Medication Management
Providence Treatment has partnered with Dr. David Steinman to provide excellent medication evaluations and ongoing medication management. Dr. Steinman is a Board certified Psychiatrist and has extensive in treating distressed professionals, particularly physicians.
A doctor explains medication management to a client
It is critical to treat any mood, attention, cognitive, or any other psychiatric illness that is present when treating the substance use disorder. We integrate the services of Dr. Steinman into our program, understanding that some clients require psychopharmacologic support, as well as talk therapies to heal and make progress in early recovery. At Providence, we work closely with the client to educate them on the safe and appropriate use of non-addictive medications.
Often there are mental illnesses that co-occur with clients such as:
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Severe anxiety
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Medications are often indicated to help stabilize a client and provide space for them to attend and absorb the program materials and get maximal benefit from our therapies and ensure a better change for a sustainable recovery. If these conditions do not receive effective treatment, then their associated symptoms usually contribute to unstable and unpredictable mood states. This instability can then lead to a relapse. Therefore, treating a substance use disorder requires close attention to any other diagnosed mental illness. At Providence Treatment, we make this a priority. We often will recommend our clients to attend mutual support groups for their specific mental illness (e.g. bipolar illness) in addition to their participation in AA or NA meetings.
Offering Customized Help for Professionals
At our sober living residence, we assist clients with their own self-administration of their medications. We also encourage them to have a dialogue with their prescriber to make sure they understand how this medication is working for them and how long should they be expected to take such medication. For many, the course of pharmacological therapy may be lifelong, but for others, it may be just years. The point here is for the addict to begin to have a different and healthier relationship with medications and a prescriber.
Recovery is manageable with the right support. To learn more about medication management at Providence Treatment, reach out to our friendly staff at 866-247-3307.