Addiction Psychiatry

Expert Treatment for Substance Use & Behavioral Addictions

Addiction is not a moral failing. It's a complex brain disorder that requires the expert medical treatment Dr. Lazarevic and her team offers.

As a board-certified Addiction Psychiatrist, Dr. Lazarevic understands:

• The neurobiology of addiction and how it hijacks the brain's reward system
• Co-occurring mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, trauma) that fuel substance use and are worsened by use
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) protocols that save lives and decrease suffering
• The shame and stigma that keep people from seeking help
• The difference between harm reduction, moderation, and abstinence—and how to support your goals

If you've tried to stop on your own and failed, or if other treatment programs haven't worked, you need specialized addiction psychiatry—not general mental health care.

Call to Schedule Your Consultation (212) 924-2871

Why Addiction Requires Specialized Treatment

Dual Training in Both General and Addiction Psychiatry Makes the Difference

General psychiatrists receive minimal addiction training in residency—often just a few weeks. Dr. Lazarevic's additional addiction fellowship training means she can:

• Diagnose complex substance use disorders accurately
• Differentiate between addiction, dependence, and recreational use
• Prescribe specialized addiction medications (buprenorphine, naltrexone, etc.)
• Manage withdrawal safely
• Address co-occurring psychiatric disorders that complicate recovery
• Navigate the psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of addiction

Addiction psychiatry is a medical specialty—and you deserve a specialist.

Substances & Addictions We Treat

Alcohol Use Disorder

The most common substance use disorder in the US. We offer medication-assisted treatment (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram), The Sinclair Method for moderation management, nutritional support for liver healing, and trauma-informed therapy. Goals: Complete abstinence OR controlled drinking, depending on your situation.

Opioid Use Disorder

Including prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. We offer Buprenorphine/Suboxone induction and maintenance. We offer psychological support for revealing opiates role in your life and ways to re-create joy, peace, safety and fulfillment from within. More often than not, people with opiate use disorder have significantly detrimental eating and lifestyle habits thus will benefit from functuional nutritional support with health coaching to anchor a robust recovery.

Stimulant Use Disorder

Cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription stimulants. We offer psychiatric management of withdrawal, treatment for co-occurring ADHD, medication to reduce cravings, and nutritional support to repair neurotransmitter systems.

Benzodiazepine Dependence

Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan. We offer safe, medically supervised tapering (stopping suddenly can be life-threatening), alternative anxiety treatments, and trauma therapy. You need medical supervision.

Cannabis Use Disorder

While many people use cannabis without problems, some develop dependence. We offer assessment, treatment for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, support for quitting or moderating, and management of withdrawal symptoms. Cannabis withdrawal is real—and we take it seriously.

Other Substances

• Tobacco/Nicotine: Medication, behavioral support, harm reduction
• MDMA/Ecstasy: Post-use depression management, neurotransmitter support
• Hallucinogens: Risk reduction, integration therapy
• Kratom: Tapering protocols, alternative pain management
• Prescription medication misuse: Safe discontinuation, alternatives

Behavioral Addictions

Not all addictions involve substances. We treat gambling, sex and pornography, internet and gaming, compulsive shopping, and exercise addiction. Behavioral addictions activate the same brain pathways as substance addiction—and require expert treatment.

Call to Schedule Your Consultation (212) 924-2871

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

The Gold Standard for Addiction Treatment

Research proves that medication + therapy is more effective than willpower alone.

For Alcohol Use Disorder:

• Naltrexone (daily or Sinclair Method) - Reduces cravings and pleasure from drinking
• Acamprosate/Campral - Reduces post-acute withdrawal symptoms
• Disulfiram/Antabuse - Deterrent medication

For Opioid Use Disorder:

• Buprenorphine/Suboxone - Reduces cravings, prevents withdrawal, blocks euphoria
• Naltrexone (oral) - For those who have completed detox
• Note: We do not administer Vivitrol or Sublocade but coordinate with providers who do

For Nicotine:

• Varenicline/Chantix - Reduces nicotine cravings
• Bupropion/Wellbutrin - Reduces withdrawal and cravings

Medication isn't "replacing one drug with another." It's giving your brain the stability it needs to heal while you do the psychological work of recovery.

Call to Begin Your Recovery (212) 924-2871

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

80% of people with addiction have co-occurring psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and eating disorders.

The problem: Most addiction programs struggle to adequately treat psychiatric conditions. And most psychiatrists don't understand addiction.

Dr. Lazarevic and her team treat BOTH simultaneously—essential for lasting recovery.

Learn more about Our Comprehensive Psychiatry Services →

Integrative & Functional Medicine for Addiction Recovery

Addiction injures your biology. We help you repair it.

Chronic substance use causes inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, gut dysbiosis, hormonal imbalances, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We run comprehensive lab work to identify these issues, then implement targeted protocols including anti-inflammatory nutrition, high-dose supplementation, gut healing, and amino acid therapy to rebuild neurotransmitters.

This biological repair dramatically reduces cravings and supports long-term recovery by optimizing nutrition, immune function, hormones, brain health and gut function.

Learn more about Nutritional Psychiatry →

Treatment Philosophy: From Harm Reduction to Abstinence

We meet you where you are. Not everyone is ready for abstinence—and that's okay.

Harm Reduction

If you're not ready to stop completely: Use more safely, reduce frequency and quantity, stabilize your life while using, build motivation for change.

Moderation

For some people, controlled use may be possible: The Sinclair Method for alcohol, structured moderation plans, regular monitoring.

Abstinence

For many substances, complete abstinence is the safest goal: Medication to prevent cravings, trauma-focused therapy, support groups (AA, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery), nourishing lifestyle modifications.

We don't judge your goals. We support your readiness for change and adjust treatment as you progress.

What to Expect in Addiction Treatment

Initial Comprehensive Evaluation

(Can take 2-3 appointments for complex histories)

We'll discuss:

• Your complete substance use history
• Previous treatment attempts and what did/didn't work
• Mental health history and current symptoms
• Family history of addiction and mental health
• Medical complications from substance use
• Social situation (work, relationships, housing, legal issues)
• Your goals for treatment

We'll order:

• Comprehensive lab work (liver function, nutritional status, infectious diseases if indicated)
• If useful- Urine drug screening (for baseline and monitoring)
• Additional functional medicine testing if appropriate

You'll leave with:

• Clear diagnosis
• Treatment plan (medication, therapy, labs, nutrition)
• Prescriptions if appropriate (MAT medications, psychiatric medications)
• Resources and support

Call to Book an Appointment (212) 924-2871

Ongoing Treatment Structure

Frequency depends on your needs:

Early recovery (first 1-3 months):

• Psychiatry: Weekly or bi-weekly
• Psychotherapy: Weekly (recommended)
• Urine drug screens: As needed for monitoring
• Nutritional support: Weekly (stongly recommended)

Stable recovery (3-12 months):

• Psychiatry: Bi-weekly to monthly
• Psychotherapy: Weekly
• Labs: Every 6-12 months
• Nutrition: Weekly to Bi-weekly

Maintenance (1+ years):

• Psychiatry: Monthly to bi-monthly
• Psychotherapy: Weekly to bi-weekly
• Labs: Annually
• Nutrition: Monthly to quarterly

Relapses happen—they're part of recovery, not failure. We adjust treatment and keep going.Want to learn more? Call (212) 924-2871

Psychotherapy for Addiction

Medication alone isn't enough. Dr. Cohen (PhD) and Dr. Lazarevic (MD) provide evidence-based addiction psychotherapy including:

• Motivational Interviewing - Explores ambivalence and builds internal motivation
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - Identifies triggers and develops coping skills
• EMDR - Processes trauma that often underlies addiction
• Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention - Teaches awareness of cravings without acting on them
• Psychodynamic Therapy - Explores unconscious patterns driving addiction

Learn more about our Psychotherapy Services →

For Medical Professionals

You're not alone. Physicians, nurses, and healthcare providers have higher rates of substance use disorders due to stress, access, and the culture of medicine. We specialize in treating medical professionals.

Learn more about our Physician Wellness Program →

Addiction Treatment Pricing

• Initial Addiction Psychiatry Consultation (60 minutes): $750
• Psychotherapy with Dr. Cohen: $350 (initial)
• Follow-up visits: Frequency and pricing based on needs
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Included in visit fees
• Momentum Care Packages: Available for complex addiction with co-occurring conditions
• We provide superbills for out-of-network insurance reimbursement

Explore Momentum Care Packages →

Common Questions About Addiction Treatment

Q: Is it a requirement to attend AA/NA?
A: No. 12-step programs help many people, but they're not for everyone. We support whatever recovery path works for you (SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, secular approaches, etc.)

Q: Can I stay on Suboxone long-term?
A: Yes, if that's what keeps you stable, healthy and lowers risk. Medication-assisted treatment can be indefinite—it's medical management of a chronic disease, not "trading one addiction for another."

Q: What if I relapse?
A: Relapse is common in addiction recovery. We don't shame or abandon you—we adjust treatment and keep going. The goal is progress, not perfection.

Q: Do you drug test me?
A: For certain medications (like buprenorphine), regular urine drug screening is strongly recommended. It's about safety and monitoring, not punishment.

Q: Can I moderate my drinking instead of quitting completely?
A: For some people with mild-to-moderate alcohol use disorder, moderation is possible (via select use of naltrexone- something called the Sinclair Method). We'll assess whether moderation is realistic and safe for you.

Call (212) 924-2871
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