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About Doctor "G"
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Board Certified in Addiction Medicine
(American Board of Preventive Medicine) -
Board Certified in Anesthesiology
(American Board of Anesthesiology) -
Certified in Public Health
(National Board of Public Health Examiners) -
Fellowship trained at Memorial Hermann Cameron Fellowship in Addiction Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Master of Public Health degree from the University of North Texas Health Science Center
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Residency training at University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology
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Medical degree from University of Texas McGovern Medical School, in Houston's Texas Medical Center
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Bachelors degree in Biology from University of Dallas
Services Offered:
Assessment
Deciding if you or a loved one has a problem with alcohol or drugs can be difficult; sometimes the answer is obvious, while for many it is not so clear. Professional screening, combined with medical and psychiatric evaluation, allows me to provide you with factual information based upon the latest diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders. Based upon an initial consultation, I will make recommendations for treatment which typically include a number of different options.
Education & Relapse Prevention
It's not a cliché: knowledge is power.
Fully understanding the neurobiology and others factors that fuel addiction is the first step towards a successful recovery. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease; it shares many characteristics with other well-known conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension. Successful recovery involves lifelong management, and that starts with becoming fully educated in a disease that we have learned much about in recent years.
Unique Appointments
My approach to patient care and appointments is different from the norm. I believe in taking the time to talk with you, to get to know you, and to understand your background and the events that led to your seeking care. Your appointments are longer than average. You will meet with your physician and no one else. I will listen to your concerns and lay out your treatment options in simple-to-understand language. I am passionate about recovery, and look forward to guiding you on the path to your own.
Outpatient
Detoxification
This type of treatment is rife with fear and urban legend. Better defined as "withdrawal management," it involves the use of safe medications and other modalities to more comfortably and safely transition to a drug-free state. Sometimes, this involves the use of medications such as Suboxone®. In other situations, non-controlled medications can be used to treat mild withdrawal symptoms and to manage the anxiety and insomnia that are often present. This can often be done in an outpatient setting, most often for treating opioid use disorders; for a subset of patients, mainly those using large quantities of sedatives or alcohol, inpatient management may be recommended.
Medication
Treatment
Sometimes referred to as
"Opioid Treatment Services" or "Medication Assisted Treatment," this may involve the ongoing administration of safe opioid medications to alleviate or eliminate withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Effective recovery can then begin, as patients are able to break the cycle of craving and drug use, and can more successfully engage a recovery program. Historically, methadone was the first medication used for this type treatment; while still in use today, it has been joined by buprenorphine, which is the active ingredient in Suboxone®. Another approach is to use non-opioid medications such as Naltrexone and Vivitrol®, which block the effects of opioids and may help alleviate cravings.
Treatment of Anxiety,
Insomnia, Depression
Discontinuation of substances often results in severe anxiety, insomnia, and depression. For some, these conditions. Experiencing these side effects of withdrawal is a common trigger for relapse, and proper management of these symptoms greatly increases the likelihood of successful abstinence. Use of appropriate and safe medications and other treatments for anxiety, insomnia, and depression is important in all stages of recovery. Education of the patient and their family members on safe and effective treatments is imperative for success, and is a service I provide to all my patients.