Addiction Treatment | Beverly Hills
I became interested in addiction medicine early in my practice after realizing that this problem was pervasive, under-recognized, and undermining chronic illnesses that are a part of every internist’s experience. I did not receive training in addiction during my medical school experience, primarily because it was not well-understood at that time. I decided to educate myself on this complicated disease, fascinated by its relationship to both mental and physical health, and curious why there remained over a 90% recidivism rate for relapse after treatment.
I discovered that addiction was not the disease, but a symptom of an underlying mental health problem — anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders — and to adequately treat this problem required an understanding and expertise in these areas. This was also not a disease that was “cured” in 30 days in a rehab.
Instead, successful treatment required realistic goals — a long-term treatment program, at least a year, until habits were broken, and a treatment team was established that worked together over time that shared their expertise and could collectively and regularly monitor outcomes. Counseling was essential for both the patient and their families, as was a 12-step relationship. And the missing link for so many years was the need to address the underlying mental health issues provoking the dependency with a menu of coping skills that need to be personalized.
This is my approach to treating addiction. Treating chronic diseases is frustrating. We can put band aids on these illnesses and manage them, but addiction therapy is different — we can actually turn this disease and someone’s life around. This is also a very difficult disease to treat, for many reasons. I remain fascinated by the association of addictive disorders with brain chemistry and believe that truly understanding this relationship will be the elixir this disease needs to lose its power.
ADDICTION
TREATMENT
Addiction Doctor
Beverly Hills
I became interested in addiction medicine early in my practice after realizing that this problem was pervasive, under-recognized, and undermining chronic illnesses that are a part of every internist’s experience. I did not receive training in addiction during my medical school experience, primarily because it was not well-understood at that time. I decided to educate myself on this complicated disease, fascinated by its relationship to both mental and physical health, and curious why there remained over a 90% recidivism rate for relapse after treatment.
I discovered that addiction was not the disease, but a symptom of an underlying mental health problem — anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders — and to adequately treat this problem required an understanding and expertise in these areas. This was also not a disease that was “cured” in 30 days in a rehab.
Instead, successful treatment required realistic goals — a long-term treatment program, at least a year, until habits were broken, and a treatment team was established that worked together over time that shared their expertise and could collectively and regularly monitor outcomes. Counseling was essential for both the patient and their families, as was a 12-step relationship. And the missing link for so many years was the need to address the underlying mental health issues provoking the dependency with a menu of coping skills that need to be personalized.
This is my approach to treating addiction. Treating chronic diseases is frustrating. We can put band aids on these illnesses and manage them, but addiction therapy is different — we can actually turn this disease and someone’s life around. This is also a very difficult disease to treat, for many reasons. I remain fascinated by the association of addictive disorders with brain chemistry and believe that truly understanding this relationship will be the elixir this disease needs to lose its power.
David A. Kipper, MD is the Renowned Author of
The Addiction Solution: Unraveling the Mysteries of Addiction Through Cutting-Edge Brain Science
The Addiction Solution introduces a revolutionary scientific breakthrough – a stunning new medical paradigm that finally frees patients from the on-again off-again treadmill of addiction.
Written in plain language with engaging illustrations and easy-to-read charts and graphs, this book clarifies and explains everything anyone ever touched by the disease of addiction needs to know – from its recently revealed genetic determination to the newly developed medical treatment (and complementary behavioral therapies) that successfully target the biochemical issues that are its root cause.
Yes, it’s now been scientifically proven that addiction is an inherited, neuro-chemical disease originating in brain chemistry, determined by genetics, and triggered by stress.
Flowing from this landmark discovery, a new medical protocol has been developed that – for the first time – safely and effectively treats addiction. . . and with none of the torturous and even life-threatening aspects of the now outmoded traditional method.
READ THE REVIEWS
“As a psychiatrist, what I appreciate most about Dr. Kipper is his awareness of a broad range of psychological issues affecting his patients. Also of note is his earnestness and integrity: in pursuit of diagnoses, consultations, treatment, family support and interventions, and vigilance with respect to medical issues on behalf of his patients.
Nowhere do these skills and awareness show up more than in his attention to patients suffering from addiction. The Addiction Solution will bring to everyone this knowledge and caring gained from years of study and experience.”
– Alan S. Blaustein, JD, MD, diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
“Readable, understandable, and a guiding light for those seeking a path out of the darkness of addiction.”
– Harland S. Winter MD, chief of pediatrics, MassGeneral Hospital & Harvard Medical School
“Dr. David Kipper’s vast knowledge and experience in treating the deadly disease of addiction is remarkable, and it its all distilled in The Addiction Solution. But it is his deep humanity and empathy that make him so unique. Knowledgeable, experienced and compassionate, Dr. Kipper is everything a doctor should be.”
– Candy Finnigan, Interventionist on A&E’s Intervention; author of When Enough Is Enough
