Search this site Search Home Page
Search Tips

members Home
Ronald Welch, MD 

Chemical Dependency

Many people who seek psychiatric services suffer from chemical dependency problems. By definition, chemical dependency disorders are conditions whereby a person's usage of a substance (alcohol, marijuana, opiates, psychostimulants for example) is causing problems in work, relationships, personal habits or physical health. Very often it is loved ones who are concerned about the problem yet the sufferer doesn't believe or refuses to acknowledge having the problem.

When evaluation reveals that someone has a problem with chemical dependency, it is almost always imperative that the individual cease such use and get help before any other psychotherapy or medical treatment can be tried.

Fortunately, we have a fully integrated chemical dependency program within our department of psychiatry. If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a chemical dependency problem, you may call our clinic and ask for an appointment with a specialist in our Chemical Dependency Program. Usually, a member of our Chemical Dependency Program can see you by the next working day to discuss the problem and describe how we may help.

 


Disclaimer
If you think you have a MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or go to the nearest hospital. DO NOT attempt to access emergency care through this web site. An emergency medical condition is a medical or psychiatric condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in any of the following: serious jeopardy to your health, serious impairment to your bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ or part. An emergency medical condition is also "active labor," which means a labor when there is inadequate time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery or if a transfer poses a threat to the health of the member or unborn child.

This site may contain links to other web sites outside of www.permanente.net. Kaiser Permanente has no control over the content or the availability of these sites, and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. Web links are provided as an educational tool, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. A link or reference to a web site should not be construed as an endorsement of the site or its contents. Any medical content that you feel may be important to your health should always be discussed with your Kaiser Permanente physician.