Alcohol Use Disorder
Evaluation and medication-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence, including medications that reduce cravings and support sustained recovery.
Addiction & Substance Use Services
Recovery is possible. We're here to help.
Northern Lights Psychiatry provides compassionate, evidence-based psychiatric care for adults and adolescents struggling with substance use and addiction — without judgment, without shame.
Non-judgmental care
Strictly confidential
Buprenorphine prescribing
Dual-diagnosis treatment
Our Perspective
Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failing
Substance use disorders are complex, chronic conditions with biological, psychological, and social roots. At Northern Lights Psychiatry, we treat addiction with the same evidence-based rigor and compassion we bring to every mental health condition. We work with you to understand what's driving your use and build a path forward that fits your life.
You don't have to be ready to quit to reach out.
Many people come to us still unsure about recovery. That's okay. Our job is to meet you where you are, help you understand your options, and support whatever steps you're ready to take.
Learn how to get started
Recovery is a journey, not a destination.
We walk alongside you every step of the way.
What We Treat
Substance use disorders we treat
Opioid Use Disorder
Comprehensive opioid use disorder treatment including buprenorphine (Suboxone) prescribing, monitoring, and coordination with recovery support services.
Cannabis Use Disorder
Assessment and treatment for problematic cannabis use, including co-occurring anxiety and mood disorders that often drive use.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Psychiatric evaluation and treatment for stimulant use disorders, including cocaine and prescription stimulant misuse.
Benzodiazepine Dependence
Careful, medically supervised tapering and treatment for benzodiazepine dependence, with attention to underlying anxiety disorders.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Integrated treatment for substance use alongside depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, and other mental health conditions that frequently co-occur.
Clinical Protocols
Specialized treatment approaches
Home Detox Support
For appropriate candidates, we can support medically managed withdrawal at home — avoiding the disruption and cost of inpatient detox. We assess your safety, prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, and provide close monitoring throughout the process. Home detox is not appropriate for everyone; we will discuss whether it is safe for your specific situation during your evaluation.
Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal can be medically serious. Safety assessment is required before any home-based protocol.
Benzodiazepine Taper Protocols
Long-term benzodiazepine use — whether prescribed or not — can create physical dependence that requires a careful, gradual taper to discontinue safely. We develop individualized taper schedules using equivalent dosing conversions, often transitioning to longer-acting agents such as diazepam or clonazepam to smooth the process. Taper timelines are adjusted based on your response, and we address the underlying anxiety or sleep conditions that may have driven the original use.
Abrupt benzodiazepine discontinuation can cause seizures. Never stop without medical guidance.
Maintenance Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment is the gold standard for opioid use disorder and is highly effective for alcohol use disorder. We prescribe buprenorphine (Suboxone/Sublocade) for opioid dependence and naltrexone or acamprosate for alcohol use disorder. Maintenance treatment is not a crutch — it is evidence-based medicine that reduces overdose risk, stabilizes brain chemistry, and gives recovery a foundation to build on.
Referrals & Coordinated Care
We recognize that psychiatric medication management is one part of a comprehensive recovery plan. When appropriate, we coordinate referrals to inpatient detox facilities, residential treatment programs, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), individual therapists specializing in addiction, peer recovery coaches, and 12-step or SMART Recovery programs. We stay in communication with your treatment team to ensure continuity.
Your Path Forward
What treatment looks like
Initial evaluation
A thorough psychiatric evaluation to understand your substance use history, mental health, and goals for treatment.
Personalized treatment plan
A care plan tailored to your specific needs — which may include medication, therapy referrals, and recovery support coordination.
Ongoing medication management
Regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress, adjust medications, and support your recovery journey.
Coordinated care
Collaboration with your therapist, primary care provider, and recovery support network to ensure continuity of care.
Our Approach
Integrated, whole-person addiction care
We take a dual-diagnosis approach — treating both the substance use and any underlying mental health conditions simultaneously. Research shows this integrated model leads to better outcomes than treating each condition in isolation. Our goal is not just sobriety, but lasting wellbeing.
What sets our care apart
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) including buprenorphine
Dual-diagnosis care for co-occurring mental health conditions
Coordination with therapists, counselors, and recovery programs
Telehealth available throughout New Hampshire
Non-judgmental, trauma-informed practice
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
Take the First Step
You deserve support — and it starts here
Reach out to schedule a confidential evaluation. We'll meet you where you are and help you find a path forward.