Dr. David Kaicher serves patients in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, community by offering care from psychiatric medication management to psychotherapy. As a member of Crozer-Keystone Health Network – HAN Psychiatry, Dr. David Kaicher belongs to a team that offers dedicated psychiatric rehabilitation services. The network’s treatment protocol centers on the needs of those with functional disabilities related to mental illness. The Social Steps program enhances psychiatric stability, while enabling individuals to develop social skills and adjust to the requirements of independent living. Learning opportunities integrated into each month’s schedule include healthy living, exercise, group psycho-education, and spirituality. One unique value-added aspect of the program centers on self-enhancement groups that include foundational skills involving money management, computers, and literacy. The groups support patients in discovering and establishing their independence. All of the program’s coordinated care elements enable individual progress, which can be fully shared with friends and families during the annual graduation ceremony. A licensed psychiatrist, Dr. David Kaicher is a member of the Crozer-Keystone Health Network. In his medical practice, Dr. David Kaicher works with patients to help them overcome the obstacles that are preventing them from achieving their goals. These obstacles include drug and substance addiction. Addiction is a complex biological, social, and psychological problem. When a person is addicted to a substance he or she may think that it’s not addiction even though it is. The problem is further complicated by a general lack of substance abuse knowledge among the general public. This is why the American Psychiatric Association has published a guide to substance use disorder symptoms, which include: - Use of a substance in larger-than-necessary doses for longer periods - Inability to stop usage despite efforts to stop - Strong cravings for the substance - Neglect of important duties or responsibilities to use the substance - Continued use of the substance even when it is physically or psychologically harmful - Increased tolerance to the substance, meaning the person needs more of it to get the desired effect - Withdrawal symptoms after stopping substance use. If you suspect a friend or relative has a substance use disorder, it is best to consult a licensed psychiatrist or addiction therapist to make an accurate diagnosis and find the best treatment option. David Kaicher, MD, received his medical degree at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. From then on, he pursued a career track in psychiatry, having undergone training at Mt. Sinai Hospital and Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center, Manhattan, as a psychiatry resident. Dr. David Kaicher currently practices at Crozer-Keystone Health Network – HAN Psychiatry. Psychotherapy is a form of collaborative treatment used to help people with various personal and mental health problems. It is a process-focused journey wherein the therapist helps the client find more constructive ways of dealing with problems Many people likely know psychotherapy from watching Hollywood films. Unfortunately, these are not very accurate depictions of a real-life psychotherapy process. In reality, psychotherapy appointments are time-bound and are considered most effective for the short term, as the sessions focus on specific goals set at the beginning. It is also not as frequent as depicted in films, as appointments are typically scheduled only once a week and last about 50 minutes. Medication-only appointments with psychiatrists or psychiatric nurses, on the other hand, may only last for 15-20 minutes and are scheduled even less frequently – from once a month to once every six weeks.v A diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, David Kaicher, MD, practices psychiatry and psychotherapy as part of Crozer-Keystone Health Network’s medical team. Prior to attending medical school, Dr. David Kaicher worked as a research assistant for a large drug and alcohol evaluation unit in New York City. Overcoming opioid addiction is not a simple matter. Even if the person with the addiction has tremendous willpower, it will take more than that to completely overcome the daily cravings and the debilitating withdrawal symptoms that follow a decision to quit. This is where medication assisted therapy (MAT) can be of great help. MAT is an inclusive treatment method that combines medication with behavioral therapy and counseling. The medication works by cutting cravings and withdrawal symptoms, while counseling and behavioral therapy address the root cause of the addiction to prevent relapse. One of the medications used by patients is methadone, which reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Another medication used is naltrexone, which blocks opioid receptors. The medication is administered by a physician who also monitors the patient’s progress throughout treatment. Research has consistently shown that patients who use MAT are better placed to overcome an addiction compared to patients who do not use MAT. Patients considering MAT should know that it is still not an easy path to recovery. The treatment requires effort and a strong commitment to the entire process. |
AuthorCommitted to helping his patients stay healthy in all areas of their lives, he regularly works with doctors in other specialties. ArchivesCategories |