WHY CALL US? My team and I are available and will help you if we possibly can!

Mark Kosins, M.D. established Affiliated Psychiatric Medical Group, Inc. in 1977. We specialize in innovative diagnosis and treatment planning. Our approach is to combine conventional and alternative medicine using the modality that will work best for you. When appropriate we use supplements to augment or replace the need for high doses of medication. At the same time we will combine medications and or supplements based upon your symptoms. We do not believe that you must comply with my plan for care. Instead, our approach is to partner with you regarding a plan of action that makes sense. We specialize in a wide variety of behavioral, learning and emotional problems for children, teenagers and adults. APMG, Inc. has a reputation for evaluating and treating difficult diagnoses and chemical imbalances that may cause underachievement, school failure, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, bi-polar disorders, panic and anxiety, aggressiveness and brain toxicity from drugs and/or alcohol abuse.

Serving all of Southern California for Addiction Care.Tlhis is just a part of what we do. It is included in the care we provide for people with ADHD, Bi polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other conditions that lead them to use drugs and alcohol to self medicate.

We specialize in dealing with the addict to help the individual detox and get clean off all opiates, uppers, downers, benzo's, and alcohol. We use the latest techniques and treatments to make you comfortable and successful. We can detox a person who is in a treatment facility, a sober living facility or at home, depending on the situation. One of the special things we do is to utilize Suboxone for a opiate detox. This is a sublingual opiate that makes a detox very safe and comfortable. Most people can function from the second day on. In addition, we offer Naltrexone implants to assist individuals in staying clean from alcohol and/or opiates. The implant lasts for about 60 (sixty) days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. "Why should I be involved in outpatient detox rather than going to a in patient hospital?"
   If done properly, outpatient detox has the following advantages:
   • It takes place in a home or homelike setting
   • Each person is treated on an individual basis
   • The process can be done in a safe, effective manner
   • Individuals going through detox can become drug free, without going "cold turkey". This means with a minimum of discomfort and disability.
   • The cost of outpatient is generally less than half of the typical inpatient hospital detox.
2. “Who should not be involved in outpatient detox?"
   • Individuals with serious medical problems, such as severe liver or kidney disease
   • People who are not committed to a process where the detox process is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to remaining clean and sober (Drug and alcohol free)
   • Drug abusers who want a magical cure, another quick fix or an easy way out
3. "What about aftercare and where is outpatient detox best done?"
   • The detox process should ideally be done where the person undergoing the detox can be assisted with the process. Of then this can be accomplished in a home or sober living environment.
   • Statistics show that the traditional 30 day inpatient stay is rarely effective. Anyone can become drug free, but aftercare is needed to stay drug free.
   • Thousands of individuals become part of a revolving door. They get drug and alcohol free, go out into the environment from which they came, try hard to stay clean and relapse. This cycle must be broken. Acute intensive care should be followed by gradual re-entry into the community when you have new skills that you can use. It is not what you know that counts, it is what you do. So when the detox is done, stay in a recovery system.
4. "So, what should I expect and what is the cost?"
   • You should expect to be treated with dignity and respect.
   • You should be seen by a clinician experienced with the detox process as often as needed. This could be daily, every other day or twice a day, depending on your situation. There is no one size fits all
   • You should be close to a hospital, in the rare case of a complication.
   • The cost of a detox varies with the individual and his/her situation. In general, one should expect to pay about $1,250 for the medical/R.N./Physician's Assistant part of the service. This includes most medications, lab work and medical supervision. You may also need to pay for additional assistance, a safe place to live and a detailed aftercare plan. If you are living at home and have a person who can be with you 24/7, this cost may be reduced. This decision is made on a individual basis.
5. "What is the best aftercare plan?"
   • The best plan is one that is designed specifically for your needs. The things to consider include:
     • Who is involved in your support group?
     • Are you employed?
     • Do you have special needs?
     • The list could go on to include things such as: do you have pets, are you married, do you have children, do you have legal problems, etc. Any and all of these should be taken into consideration in your treatment plan.
6. "What if I have a dual-diagnosis, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.?"
   • A dual-diagnosis should not be taken lightly/many people in the initial stages of recovery look depresses, feel anxious or have strange thoughts or dreams.
   • A dual-diagnosis should not be established to accommodate your insurance plan. It should only be made after a careful evaluation and history is taken. Rarely does one develop a new mental problem after they become clean and sober (after detox).
   • We know that many people have the illness of substance abuse. if we look at the medical model it becomes apparent that many individuals become involved in substance abuse because of underlying depression or anxiety. If this is the case, then it too should be treated during recovery.
   • An astute psychiatrist and his/her team should be ready and able to handle almost any situation or emotional condition in a non-hospital setting. Only the most serious situation need an expensive/restrictive hospital setting. If this occurs, it should be for the least time possible.
7. "Everyone says their plan is the best. What questions should I ask?"
   • Does the treatment plan fit my needs?
   • Where will I live?
   • What will happen to me?
   • Does the physician specialize in substance abuse?
   • How are my relatives and loved ones involved in my care?
   • How are my legal and job related issues taken into account and so on...
   • Any other questions? Call now! The only dumb questions are the ones not asked!