Medication Assessment, Administration & Monitoring

Many people with behavioral health conditions will need to, and/or benefit from, taking medications for extended periods of time; some for the remainder of their lives. There thus is ongoing need for access to qualified and experienced healthcare professionals who can assess the need for, administer, and monitor a person's responses to safe and effective medications.

Early in recovery, this is likely to be a behavioral healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist or advanced practice nurse, who specializes in the treatment of addictions and/or psychiatric disorders. Later in recovery, people who have achieved sustained recovery and/or significant improvement in their condition may prefer to have these medications, as well as their overall health status, managed by primary care providers in a so-called "shared care" arrangement. It is important that these primary care providers understand the recovery process.

Annual recovery check-ups, similar to annual physicals, are recommended for people in sustained recovery; more frequent visits (e.g., twice a year, once a quarter, monthly) may be more appropriate for individuals earlier in recovery. Allowing for personal choice, it is preferable for behavioral healthcare to be provided in normative or natural settings, such as primary care offices or clinics, as well as in specialty care settings.  

Table of Common Characteristics