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Faebl Studios2026-10-20 14:55:022026-10-28 18:41:46Is Social Anxiety a Disability? What You Need to KnowBNI Clinics provides addiction psychiatry services for individuals living with substance use disorder and mental health issues. We combine evidence-based therapy, diagnostic evaluations, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and personalized psychiatric care to support each individual.
Call (310) 304-1226 to schedule a confidential assessment with an addiction psychiatrist in Los Angeles today.
What BNI Offers
BNI provides treatment for adults and adolescents in the LA area. Our services include:
- Psychiatric evaluations and diagnosis: We provide comprehensive evaluations to accurately diagnose conditions and provide a personalized approach.
- Individual, group, and family therapy: These therapies help clients develop coping strategies to improve emotional regulation without drugs and alcohol.
- Medication management, including MAT: Medications can help manage withdrawal, reduce cravings, and treat co-occurring mental health symptoms throughout recovery.
- Adolescent care: With teens, we work closely with our BNI Treatment Center to offer various levels of care, including residential and outpatient treatment.
- Insurance accepted: We work with major insurance providers and provide an insurance verification process for optimal transparency.
How We Treat: What to Expect From Psychiatric Treatment for Addiction at BNI Clinics
Our step-by-step process includes:
- Step 1: Initial psychiatric evaluation: We conduct a thorough evaluation of each client’s mental and physical health and medical history to ensure a safe and effective approach.
- Step 2: Diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan: Our team uses the information we gather during the evaluation to provide a diagnosis and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Step 3: Ongoing therapy and psychiatric sessions: Treatment includes ongoing therapy and psychiatric care. Therapists help clients develop coping strategies, while psychiatrists prescribe and adjust medications as needed.
- Step 4: Medication management and follow-up: We continue to provide support, ensuring the dosage meets the client’s needs and that side effects (if any) are minimal.
Our Treatment Methods
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addresses negative thought processes and teaches clients coping skills to guide healthier behavior.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): An offshoot of CBT, DBT takes a more mindful approach, focusing on emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Family Therapy: The family unit is the biggest source of support for individuals with substance use disorders. Family therapy offers the building blocks necessary to create a home environment conducive to recovery.
- Psychodynamic therapy: This modality explores subconscious thoughts and processes that influence behavior, including past experiences.
- TMS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a noninvasive treatment that places an electromagnetic coil against the scalp to send magnetic pulses into specific areas of the brain, usually the region involved in mood regulation, and is used to treat depression that often occurs alongside substance use.
Medication Prescription and Management
For alcohol, benzodiazepine, and opioid use disorders, medications may be used to manage withdrawal safely, since symptoms can range from uncomfortable to medically serious. For opioid and alcohol use disorders, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can also reduce cravings and support long-term recovery.
Medications may continue to be integrated into the recovery process to provide stabilization, manage cravings, and reduce psychological symptoms.
Combining Medicine and Therapy
Each patient’s needs are unique. Some can conquer their substance use disorders with therapy alone, and for others, medication can be an enormous asset on their road to recovery. There’s no single right path; your plan is built around what works for you.
Most frequently, we start with therapy, and then add medication as a supplement to treatment if our psychiatrists believe it could be beneficial. Sometimes, individuals may have severe mental health conditions alongside their substance use disorders, which can be treated most effectively by beginning medication and therapy simultaneously. In other cases, someone may come to us in a mental health crisis and require medication right away to manage symptoms quickly and ensure their safety.
Either way, anyone in our care will attend therapy sessions. These will also be individualized to suit the patient’s needs, from the therapy modalities involved to the psychiatrist they work with, and the strategies they learn and eventually implement on their journey to recovery.
What We Treat: Substance Use Disorders in Adults and Adolescents
We treat a wide range of substance use and mental health disorders, as follows:
- Substances treated
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Stimulants
- Benzodiazepines
- Cannabis
- Co-occurring conditions treated
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma and PTSD
- ADHD
- Teen-specific care: BNI Clinics provides outpatient psychiatric care for teens. When a higher level of care is needed, we work closely with BNI Treatment Centers, which offers programs designed for adolescents.
Insurance and Cost for Addiction Psychiatry
BNI Clinics accepts most PPO and some HMO insurance. We provide a free, no-obligation insurance verification so you have a clear picture of your coverage before your first appointment. If insurance is not an option, we can discuss private pay.
How an Addiction Psychiatrist Differs From a Primary Care Doctor or Therapist
A primary care doctor manages your overall health but usually has limited training in addiction or mental health conditions. A therapist, such as a psychologist or licensed counselor, provides talk therapy but can’t prescribe medication.
An addiction psychiatrist is a medical doctor with specialized training in substance use disorders. They can diagnose co-occurring mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medication, including MAT, and coordinate therapy, all in one place.
Why Addiction Psychiatry Matters in Los Angeles
An estimated 1.45 million people aged 12 and older in Los Angeles County, or 16.8% of the population, need substance use disorder treatment. Nationally, 80% of people who needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2024 didn’t receive it.
Substance use is often tied to emotional pain, not a lack of willpower. People use drugs and alcohol to manage their emotions. While substances provide temporary relief, they often make things worse in the long run, reducing emotional regulation and causing issues with personal and professional relationships.
Addiction psychiatry treats the underlying conditions that often fuel substance use. Medication can ease withdrawal, reduce cravings, and stabilize mood, while therapy builds healthier ways to cope.
Signs Addiction Psychiatry May Be Right For You
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) is a guide psychiatrists use to diagnose mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. While you always need to see a mental health professional to officially be diagnosed and treated for a substance use disorder, looking at the criteria might help you determine if addiction psychiatry is right for you, too.
Two or more of the following indicate a potential substance use disorder:
- Using substances in hazardous situations, such as while driving
- Experiencing interpersonal problems due to substance use
- Neglecting responsibilities due to substance use
- Using the substance in larger quantities or for longer than intended
- Unsuccessful attempts to quit using the substance
- Spending a lot of time using, recovering from, and obtaining the substance
- Continued substance use despite mental and/or physical health consequences
- Giving up previously enjoyed activities in favor of substance use
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Cravings
It’s important to note that you can still benefit from addiction psychiatry even if you don’t believe you meet these criteria. If you’re concerned enough about your or your loved one’s substance use to read this page, we encourage you to contact us to learn more about addiction psychiatry at BNI Clinics.
Book an Addiction Psychiatrist in Los Angeles Today
BNI Clinics is devoted to bringing health and happiness back to your family. Our mental health and addiction services are available to individuals of all ages in need of psychiatric care. From diagnosis to therapy and medication management, BNI Clinics will be with you every step of the way on your road to recovery.
Contact us at 310-691-5005 today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does an addiction psychiatrist do?
An addiction psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating substance use disorders and the mental health issues that often accompany them. At BNI Clinics, our psychiatrists create personalized treatment plans that address both the emotional and biological sides of addiction.
2. How do I know if I—or my loved one—needs addiction psychiatry?
If substance use is causing stress, health problems, conflict, or changes in behavior, it may be time to seek help. You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to start treatment. If you’re worried enough to research this, that’s already a sign that professional support may help.
3. Is insurance available for addiction psychiatry?
Yes, insurance is available for addiction psychiatry, but coverage varies by plan and provider. BNI Clinics can verify your insurance before you enroll, so you know exactly what your plan covers.
4. Can medications really help with addiction?
For certain substance use disorders—especially opioid and alcohol use disorders—medications can greatly reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is evidence-based and has been shown to improve recovery outcomes. Our psychiatrists prescribe medications only when it is safe, appropriate, and mutually agreed upon.
5. Do you treat teenagers with substance use disorders?
Yes. BNI Clinics provides psychiatric care for teens struggling with substance use, emotional distress, or co-occurring mental health disorders. When adolescents need more intensive treatment, we work closely with BNI Treatment Centers to provide higher levels of care.
6. What if I’m not sure I have a “real” addiction?
You don’t need to label yourself to get help. If substances are affecting your life, mood, relationships, or health—even slightly—speaking to an addiction psychiatrist can provide clarity. Early support can help prevent a mild problem from escalating into a severe one.
7. Is the treatment confidential?
All sessions, diagnoses, and conversations are fully confidential and protected by medical privacy laws. We understand how sensitive addiction can be, and your privacy is a top priority at BNI Clinics.
8. What happens during my first appointment?
Your first visit includes a thorough psychiatric evaluation, mental health screening, and discussion of your substance use history. We’ll identify underlying issues—such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress and build a personalized treatment plan. You’ll never be judged, rushed, or pressured.
9. How long does addiction treatment usually take?
Treatment length varies from person to person. Some people see improvements within weeks, while others benefit from longer-term therapy and support. Recovery is not one-size-fits-all. Our team tailors the pace of treatment to your specific needs and goals.
Mental Health Services
CHILD & ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY
ADULT PSYCHIATRY
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
TMS AGOURA HILLS
ABOUT BNI CLINICS
Behavioral Neuroscience Institute
Founded in 2008 by two University of Southern California (USC)-educated psychiatrists, BNI was created to provide the highest level of psychological treatment to residents of Los Angeles County. Commitment to the use of evidence-based therapeutic interventions and advanced psychopharmacology, as well as a huge dose of compassion, is what differentiates BNI from other mental health treatment providers.
Our Team
Dr. Oliver Ahmadpour
Co-founder and Practice Psychiatrist
Dr. Arastou Aminzadeh, MD
Co-Founder and Practice Psychiatrist
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