Call (310) 304-1226 to schedule a confidential assessment with an addiction psychiatrist in Los Angeles today.
At BNI Clinics, our addiction psychiatrists provide specialized treatment for substance use disorders in adults and adolescents across Los Angeles.
We combine evidence-based therapy, diagnostic evaluations, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and personalized psychiatric care to address both addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or ADHD.
In 2021, 16% of people in Los Angeles County had a substance use disorder. Only about 2% of them would go on to receive treatment.
Addiction treatment isn’t all about 12-step programs and support groups. Effective treatment for substance use disorders involves evidence-based therapies, and addressing the true cause of addiction: emotional distress.
You didn’t try heroin for the first time just for fun. The person you love who is taking more of their opioid medication than prescribed isn’t doing it because they had poor impulse control. It was because of deep pain and the desire for relief. Some people turn to substances to ease that pain, and this is how addiction develops.
What’s the cure, then? Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix. Recovery takes hard work and dedication, but through avenues like addiction psychiatry at BNI Clinics, it’s possible.
What We Treat: Substance Use Disorders in Adults and Adolescents
Substance use disorders affect people from all walks of life, and aren’t just limited to adults – so our treatment isn’t either. We bring addiction treatment services to adults and adolescents in the Los Angeles area.
If you keep finding alcohol in your teen’s room, we want to talk to them about it. If you know your friend is using cocaine, we want to see them, too. Our focus on psychiatry makes us uniquely qualified to address every aspect of substance use disorders, including mental health conditions. We can bring you the expert-level addiction treatment your family deserves.
How We Treat: What to Expect From Psychiatric Treatment for Addiction at BNI Clinics
When you choose psychiatric treatment with BNI Clinics, all of our expertise is at your disposal.
This process begins with our diagnostic evaluations. We’ll perform assessments to officially diagnose any mental or behavioral health conditions that might accompany your substance use disorder. This is key to comprehensively conquering your addiction.
Once you put a name to the conditions you’re living with, it’s easier to develop a plan of attack to overcome them. We’ll work together to take the power away from any substances you engage with, and put it back in your hands. You can regain control of your life, and we have the treatment to help you get there.
Our Treatment Methods: Finding the Right Fit for You
At BNI Clinics, we focus on the psychiatric component of addiction. This means our treatment closely addresses mental health concerns through a variety of evidence-based therapies. These sessions can take place between an individual and a therapist, or in a group setting.
Some of our therapy modalities include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT addresses unproductive thought patterns, and teaches individuals how to identify and change them to promote recovery.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). DBT offers insight on managing strong emotions in healthy ways. It is especially helpful for people with conditions involving emotional dysregulation, such as borderline personality disorder.
- 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.
We also offer transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). TMS is a non-invasive procedure that involves sending harmless electrical pulses to parts of the brain to promote healing. TMS is FDA-approved to treat major depressive disorder, and is also proven effective for treatment-resistant depression.
If you have a teenager with a substance use disorder and therapy sessions aren’t enough, we work closely with BNI Treatment Centers, which provides more intensive treatment for adolescents. Some of those services include residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs.
Medication Prescription and Management for Your Recovery
The skilled physicians at BNI Clinics can prescribe any medications as needed. This includes psychiatric medication for any mental health conditions when agreed upon between you and your psychiatrist. Sometimes finding medication that works for you can be difficult, and our psychiatrists will walk alongside you in this process as long as it takes to find your ideal treatment protocol. We’re serious about providing you with all the tools you need to conquer your substance use disorder.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is also an option BNI Clinics offers alongside therapy for individuals with certain substance use disorders – primarily opioid use disorders. MAT involves medications that help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier for those with opioid use disorders to focus on their recovery.
The Winning Formula: 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. No effective treatment path at BNI Clinics is superior to any other.
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.
Understanding Addiction Psychiatry: The Core of Addiction
Treatment for substance use disorders doesn’t work if you focus only on the substance. Learning healthier coping strategies is vital, and accountability for abstaining from substance use is important. Support groups can prove incredibly beneficial, and life skills counseling is invaluable – but these components alone usually aren’t enough to facilitate lasting recovery.
Addiction psychiatry enables practitioners like BNI Clinics to offer evidence-based therapies for substance use disorders and to treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Psychiatrists are fully equipped to provide testing for mental health conditions, diagnose them, and prescribe medication if needed.
Signs Addiction Psychiatry May Be Right for You
If you’re drinking excessively or using substances illicitly, it’s a good idea to consider treatment. Even if you don’t think your substance use is harmful, substances have a negative impact on your health, especially when used long-term.
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 indicates 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 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 be researching this, that’s already a sign that professional support may be helpful.
3. Is addiction psychiatry different from rehab or 12-step programs?
Yes. Addiction psychiatry focuses on the medical and mental health aspects of addiction. It includes therapy, diagnostic evaluation, and medication support. Many people still benefit from support groups, but psychiatric care helps treat the underlying pain, trauma, stress, or mental health conditions driving the substance use.
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 proven 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 more intensive treatment is needed, we work closely with BNI Treatment Centers to provide higher levels of care for adolescents.
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 prevent the escalation of a mild problem 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.
