Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP, FASAM
An Overview of Psychiatric Medication (and How They Can Help Patients with Addiction)
An Overview of Psychiatric Medication (and How They Can Help Patients with Addiction)
An Overview of Psychiatric Medication (and How They Can Help Patients with Addiction)
Monday 26th May 2025
Explore psychiatric meds with Dr. Grover – how they work, their role in addiction treatment, and which ones to avoid.
34 minutes
Informative
Educational
Supportive
Hopeful
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Casey Grover, MD, FACEP
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
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Get the buttons here!Unlocking the Mystery of Psychiatric Medications in Addiction Treatment
Episode Overview
- Psychiatric medications target specific brain receptors for effective treatment.
- Off-label uses can provide unexpected benefits in addiction recovery.
- Tailored medication plans are crucial for treating co-occurring conditions.
- Long-acting injectables help ensure compliance in addiction treatment.
- Benzodiazepines can worsen anxiety over time despite initial relief.
"When you eat, when you take Topiramate, the food tastes different", which is one reason it may be associated with weight loss.
Dr. Casey Grover takes you on a whirlwind tour of psychiatric medications and their crucial role in addiction treatment in this episode of Addiction Medicine Made Easy. With his wealth of experience from the emergency department, Dr. Grover sheds light on how these medications work, when they're best utilised, and which ones to avoid like the plague.
It's not just about popping pills; it's about understanding the science behind them, the brain receptors they target, and the rigorous testing they undergo before hitting the shelves. You'll learn about the different classes of psychiatric medications – think of them as cars, from trucks to sports cars, each with its own purpose and quirks. Dr.
Grover shares practical examples, such as Topiramate's unexpected side effect of taste changes leading to weight loss, or Trazodone's sedative powers that make it more useful for sleep than depression. He doesn't shy away from discussing the pitfalls of certain meds, especially benzodiazepines, which can paradoxically increase anxiety over time. The episode also dives into how doctors choose the right medication for patients with addiction and co-occurring mental health issues. Dr.
Grover emphasises prioritising treatment based on urgency and past medication effectiveness, ensuring a tailored approach to recovery. He also touches on long-acting injectables, like Vivitrol, that offer compliance solutions for those struggling to remember daily doses. This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of psychiatry and addiction medicine. Whether you're a healthcare provider or someone affected by addiction, Dr. Grover's insights offer a fresh perspective on how psychiatric medications can aid recovery and improve lives.
Why not tune in and see how these tiny pills might hold the key to big changes?