Addiction Specialists and Doctors at Banyan

Also known as certified intervention specialists, an interventionist helps persuade people with drug or alcohol use disorders to seek substance abuse treatment. First, they meet with the family and friends of the individual to learn more about them, and then they design a plan for getting the individual to meet with them and have the intervention. While technically anyone can call themselves an interventionist, some interventionists have a certification, including the ones at Banyan Treatment Centers locations. Certified Intervention Professionals (CIPs) and Certified National Drug and Alcohol Interventionists (CNDAI) have a minimal amount of education or experience. While these individuals are not licensed, they are certified and do have work experience and education. Additionally, an interventionist may also have other licensed credentials, meaning a licensed counselor could also be an intervention specialist.

Substance abuse counselors are also important partners in a client’s treatment plan. They are the patient’s support system, adviser, and teacher, offering them guidance throughout the entire recovery process. Other names for addiction counselors include substance use disorder counselors, alcohol and drug counselors, and chemical dependency professionals. They must have a state license, and licensed counselors normally have an associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. Certified addiction counselors must also meet certain education and work experience criteria. Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (AADC) and Master Addiction Counselors (MAC) have master’s degrees, and some states may also require certification.

An addiction psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in addiction medicine. These psychiatrists address both physical and mental aspects of clients’ mental health and substance use disorders. Addiction psychiatrists are especially beneficial for patients with co-occurring disorders. Addiction psychiatrists need licenses, certifications, and experience. Education for this group includes a Doctor of Medicine degree (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) as well as certifications from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN).

A Registered Nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated from a nursing program and has met the requirements outlined by a country, state, or similar government-authorized body to obtain a nursing license. Banyan locations have RNs on staff to provide patients with direct care for drug and alcohol use disorders. Our RNs assist our addiction physicians in developing treatment plans, performing client assessments, monitoring clients’ progress, and administering medication and pain management treatment. Our RNs play an essential role in ensuring patient safety, health, and progress through PHP and inpatient care.

An Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) is a registered nurse who completed graduate-level education and has the primary responsibility of caring for the patient. The roles of licensed ARNPs include:

• Examining patients and establishing diagnoses according to client history, physical examination, and other forms of care
• Admitting, managing, and discharging patients to and from health care centers
• Ordering, collecting, performing, and interpreting diagnostic examinations
• Managing health care by identifying, developing, implementing, and evaluating a care plan for the individual
• Prescribing therapies and medical equipment for treatment
• Prescribing medications, when necessary

Substance abuse nurse practitioners offer addiction recovery medical services to treat clients in our facilities. Nurses on our staff have a combination of advanced degrees and certifications in mental health and substance abuse nursing to ensure our clients receive the best care possible. 

Also referred to as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, some of our mental health and addiction treatment centers also have psychiatric ARNPs on staff to provide both psychopharmaceutical and psychotherapeutic care to clients and families. This means that they can prescribe medications to clients and provide therapy. Considering how often addiction is tied to mental illness, our psychiatric nurses play a crucial role in our mental health and addiction treatment services.

Medical directors have years of experience managing health care facilities. Their qualifications must address the various responsibilities of the role.

Like other addiction treatment facilities, Banyan involves a hierarchy of professional addiction specialists in leadership roles. At the top of this hierarchy is the medical director (MD).

Our medical director provides oversight on all our facilities’ medical-related duties. They ensure that all medical staff members follow guidelines, protocol, and provide high-quality care to clients while ensuring their team members’ needs are being met.

Typical roles of a medical director in addiction treatment include:

• Enforcing an environment in which medical professionals can safely and effectively work
• Developing policies and protocols that match the health care institution’s guidelines to ensure client safety and treatment efficacy
• Supervising and evaluating medical staff operations
• Working with institutional leadership to meet the health care system’s goals
• Staying up-to-date on the latest medical advancements and changes through continuing education
• Managing all medical departments of their facility
• Ensuring that medical staff members meet institutional expectations, including certifications
• Recruiting and managing medical team members