I have a family member in Raleigh who is experiencing severe depression/other psychological issues and has a history of substance abuse, although i don't think they have an acute addiction right now. This person needs medication, but the case will be complicated since they abused prescriptions in the past.

Therefore I need recommendations for doctors who can stomach this problem and won't freak out over past drug abuse. I saw a psychiatrist in Raleigh who, even though being recommended by my therapist at the time who knew my history, seemed to refuse to treat me with respect after talking about smoking pot , which is just the tip of the iceberg for the person who needs help.


I'm coming into town for a few days to try and help out next week, so I'd really like to figure out who is good in this field and try to set up an appointment during the time I'll be there.

1/5/2012 12:29:33 PM

that's a tough situation. good luck :\

1/5/2012 12:33:29 PM

Quote :

"This person needs medication"

drug seeking

1/5/2012 12:36:06 PM

It's sad that so many doctors have this mentality. I went to the doctor because I had severely bruised heels one time from jumping off something, and they wouldn't give me pain medication because there wasn't a fracture and they didn't believe me. I know what level of pain I'm in, and I know when I need a little more than Tylenol. Doctors should trust their patients, and drug abuse should be the patient's problem, unless it's very clearly an issue.

1/5/2012 12:48:23 PM

Quote :

"I saw a psychiatrist in Raleigh who, even though being recommended by my therapist at the time who knew my history, seemed to refuse to treat me with respect after talking about smoking pot"

Was this guy a hundred years old or something? That seems like such a lame thing for a psychiatrist to get bent out of shape over in the grand scheme of things.

My friend's mother sounds like she has similar issues to what you're describing. I just called her to ask and her mom has been seeing Dr. Denker for several years. I'm not sure where her office is located. Anyway, this woman was bat shit crazy for the years I knew her and now is semi-normal so I guess the therapy is working!

1/5/2012 12:53:05 PM

Quote :

"It's sad that so many doctors have this mentality. "

Want someone to blame?

start with the DEA.

1/5/2012 12:59:28 PM

^
Totally agree. They are the driving force behind the problem.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/health/policy/fda-is-finding-attention-drugs-in-short-supply.html?pagewanted=all

1/5/2012 1:02:08 PM

I'm assuming this person is an adult? I have a lot of resources for children and teens, but some places take all ages. Also, what kind of insurance (if any) do they have?

Only one I know of right now that specializes in depression and substance abuse is:
Turning Point Youth and Family Counseling
4505 Fair Meadow Ln
Raleigh, NC 27607
781-8161
http://turningpoint.home.mindspring.com

There's a lot more out there if the main concern is depression, but I think having knowledge in substance abuse would be helpful, too. They take most private insurace, medicaid, and they have a sliding fee.

[Edited on January 5, 2012 at 1:04 PM. Reason : hmmm...may not be the best bet if you're just looking for a prescription]

1/5/2012 1:02:44 PM

Quote :

"Totally agree. They are the driving force behind the problem. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/health/policy/fda-is-finding-attention-drugs-in-short-supply.html?pagewanted=all "

Wow. It's ridiculous the DEA has that ability.

1/5/2012 1:08:26 PM

yup, that one in particular hits close to home. I've started stretching my meds as long as possible because it generally takes me hours of phone calls and usually a drive out to BFE to find a place that has it.

1/5/2012 1:13:50 PM

Quote :

"the DEA."

They generally cause more trouble than they help...they have waaay too much power.

1/5/2012 1:22:00 PM

I'm disappointed to see that Smath74 has turned into a despicable lounge troll.



I think it should be obvious that any medication prescribed would need to be of limited abuse potential.

I should say that we aren't just looking for medication, but psychological counseling as well.


thanks for the info ncsujen07, although I guess I better avoid offices with religous alliances, just because they might reject treatment for that reason.

I'm talking about a 25-year-old who has BCBS insurance, for the next year anyway...


How about Queer-friendly counselors?

[Edited on January 5, 2012 at 1:25 PM. Reason : thx wolfpackgrrr]

1/5/2012 1:22:02 PM

Apparently she doesn't have a website but she does have this: http://psychiatrists.psychologytoday.com/rms/name/Michele_J_Denker_MD,DFAPA_Cary_North+Carolina_44891

And she says she specializes in LGBTQ community. Win win

1/5/2012 1:34:00 PM

^^^^^ i work in pharmaceutical distribution, and when we saw this, we kind of . The shortage is real, only in the sense that the government allows it to happen. (likely a soapbox discussion though..)

good luck to the OP though.

[Edited on January 5, 2012 at 1:38 PM. Reason : carrots]

1/5/2012 1:37:01 PM

Quote :

"The shortage is real, only in the sense that the government allows it to happen."

It seems like everyone but the DEA understands that

1/5/2012 1:43:57 PM

Quote :

"I'm disappointed to see that Smath74 has turned into a despicable lounge troll."

I've known people in similar situations and they are deemed high risk for drug seeking behavior unfortunately.

1/5/2012 1:47:35 PM

its really all about the MATH

1/5/2012 1:48:48 PM

Contact Adam Adams (250-3121) with Wake Mental Health. He very likely will be able to help you and/or refer you to someone better equipped to handle your specific situation. He and his co-workers regularly deal with patients that have substance abuse issues in addition to their Mental Health issues.

1/5/2012 2:26:47 PM

Oops sorry...should've realized it was Christian-based by the name. I was just looking for the specialization area. You could always do a search of therapists on the bcbs website and call around. I don't have any word of mouth recommendations for those specific issues and age-group. I wish I remembered the name of the place near (former) Dorthea Dix. It wasn't part of Dorthea Dix, but the name changed recently. I know they do therapy as well as med management.

1/5/2012 3:31:23 PM

^ unc step research clinic at the ncprc (at dix)

Scott Building 2nd floor, 2108 Umstead drive, Raleigh, NC 27603 phone is (919) 713-5227

They are very good, doc's from unc, good therapists, substance abuse counseling, etc.

1/7/2012 10:24:16 PM

I recommend any one of these mental health professionals:

http://www.nrpsych.com/clinic.html

1/9/2012 1:04:56 PM

Quote :

"This person needs medication, but the case will be complicated since they abused prescriptions in the past"

Antidepressants have virtually no abuse potential. If anything, people are more likely to not take these medications because there are so many negative side effects. Any psychiatrist or MD worth their salt should have no misgivings about prescribing antidepressants to someone with a history of drug abuse. Now granted, individuals can certainly overdose on antidepressants, so if there is a history of suicidal behaviors related to medication, this might make things more complicated.

1/9/2012 1:11:56 PM

i am close with a current freshman and she is looking for a recommended psychologist - she's not happy with the help she's gotten on campus. she would prefer them to be semi-close to campus for convenience.

the situation is primarily related to a traumatic childhood, and she has been getting help in the Winston-Salem area since she was very young - lately just at random intervals when she felt like she needed to talk.

any suggestions would be appreciated

3/14/2012 3:56:23 PM