An addiction psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry and has additional expertise in substance use disorders and addiction. Unlike most therapists, an addiction psychiatrist can diagnose medical and psychiatric conditions, prescribe medication, and manage complex interactions between addiction, mental health symptoms, and medications.
What does an addiction psychiatrist do?
An addiction psychiatrist may evaluate substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma-related conditions, bipolar disorder, psychosis, attention problems, and other psychiatric concerns that can affect recovery. They can also prescribe psychiatric medications and evidence-based medications for substance use disorders when appropriate.
How is an addiction psychiatrist trained?
Addiction psychiatry is a recognized psychiatric subspecialty. Physicians first complete medical training and psychiatry residency, then may complete addiction psychiatry fellowship training and pursue subspecialty board certification through the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
What does a therapist do instead?
A therapist provides psychotherapy and behavioral-health treatment within their professional license or credential. Therapists may help patients work on coping skills, trauma, relationships, relapse prevention, motivation, mood symptoms, and behavior change.
Most therapists do not prescribe medication, although professional scopes vary by jurisdiction and credential.
Can someone work with both?
Yes. An addiction psychiatrist and therapist can have complementary roles. The psychiatrist may focus on diagnosis, medications, and psychiatric complexity while the therapist provides ongoing psychotherapy and behavioral treatment.
How is an addiction psychiatrist different from an addiction medicine physician?
Both are physicians who can specialize in addiction. Addiction psychiatry begins with psychiatry training and places particular emphasis on psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. Addiction medicine can be entered from multiple medical specialties and addresses addiction along with substance-related medical conditions.
See Trinity’s guide to addiction medicine and addiction physicians.
When might an addiction psychiatrist be especially useful?
Psychiatric consultation may be particularly valuable when substance use occurs alongside severe depression, mania, psychosis, complicated medication questions, suicidal thinking, diagnostic uncertainty, or other significant mental health concerns.
Does every rehab have an addiction psychiatrist?
No. Programs use different staffing models and may have general psychiatrists, addiction medicine physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, therapists, or outside consultants. Current Trinity Behavioral Health staffing should be verified directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can an addiction psychiatrist prescribe medication?
Yes. Addiction psychiatrists are physicians with prescribing authority subject to licensure and applicable law.
Is a therapist a doctor?
Usually not, although some psychologists hold doctoral degrees. A therapist’s role is different from that of a medical physician.
Can a psychiatrist provide therapy too?
Yes. Psychiatrists can provide psychotherapy, although many focus more heavily on diagnostic and medication management depending on their practice.
Does Trinity guarantee access to an addiction psychiatrist?
No. Current Trinity specialist availability should be confirmed directly with the adult treatment team.
Authoritative sources
- ASAM: Addiction Specialists and Addiction Psychiatry
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology: Addiction Psychiatry Certification
- SAMHSA: Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
This article explains professional roles generally and does not identify the credentials of any specific Trinity clinician.