At Bridge Psychiatry, we understand that substance use disorder (SUD) and chronic illness do not just affect the patient—they affect the entire family. When a loved one is navigating complex medical and psychiatric needs, the “caregiver burden” can be immense. We are here to provide clarity and support for you, too.
How Our Integrated Model Benefits Families
- A Single Point of Contact: You no longer have to coordinate between a specialist, a psychiatrist, and a rehab center. Our nurses assist with case management and care coordination between specialities. Our office will communicate internally to ensure best care.
- Education on “The Science of Complexity”: We can help you understand how your loved one’s physical health issues impact their mental health and recovery road. Much of your loved ones appointments will be education based.
Crisis Prevention: Because we monitor both medical and psychiatric vitals, we are often able to intervene before a health issue becomes a crisis. We are also able to help navigate when a crisis has occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions for Families
Click each to show the answer.
How can I best support my loved one’s recovery?
The best support is informed support. This means understanding that substance use disorder is a chronic brain disease, not a moral failing. We encourage families to:
- Maintain healthy boundaries. We know, this is very hard, it will help you and your loved one keep each other safe.
- Participate in family education sessions if the patient consents, authentic family support in all its forms can be incredibly healing.
- Focus on “parallel recovery”—seeking your own support (such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon) while your loved one seeks medical care. We can provide assistance in connecting you with these groups.
Will the doctors talk to me about my loved one’s progress?
Due to federal privacy laws (HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2), we cannot share specific medical or addiction treatment details without a signed release of information from the patient. However, we highly encourage patients to include a “support person” in their care plan. If a release is signed, we can collaborate with you on the treatment goals. It is most efficient if you join your loved one in our visits, so trust can be maintained and supported.
What do I do if I suspect a relapse?
Relapse is often a part of the chronic disease cycle. Because we are an integrated primary care and psychiatric practice, we view a relapse as a clinical sign that the treatment plan needs to be modified. If you notice signs of a relapse, encourage your loved one to book an appointment immediately—we provide a non-judgmental space to get back on track. Relapse never means your loved on will be discharged from the practice
What are signs of a relapse?
Relapse is not a single event; these are the early warning signs:.
- Isolation
- Bottling up emotions
- Poor self-care: Changes in sleep patterns, eating habits, or hygiene.
- Defensiveness.
- Moodiness
- Cravings
- Glamorizing past use
- Lying: often white lies
- Bargaining: This is mostly internal
- Scheming: Loophole search
We are trained to look at all the above symptoms and also keep an eye out for:<
- Non-Adherence to Medical Treatment
- Increased Physical Complaints
- Missed Appointments
- Psychiatric Decompensation
My loved one has serious medical issues and SUD. Is it safe to treat both?
Yes! This is so essential to treat both. Our specialized “Complex Care” integrated approach ensures that medications for addiction do not interfere with treatments for other medical conditions.