Medical Oversight

Recovery is not just emotional. It’s not just behavioral. It’s physical, neurological, and biological, and that’s why integrated medical support is a core part of the care model at River City Recovery.

While we are an outpatient program, we provide comprehensive medical oversight through licensed professionals who specialize in behavioral health. Our goal is to ensure that each client receives the clinical, psychiatric, and medication-related support they need to stabilize and progress through treatment safely.

This isn’t a checkbox. It’s a critical component of recovery. Medical issues don’t disappear when someone stops using substances, and mental health doesn’t improve through therapy alone when underlying imbalances go unaddressed. That’s why we take a full-picture approach.

Our Medical Director

River City Recovery’s Medical Director is a licensed physician with deep expertise in treating co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Whether it’s prescribing and managing psychiatric medications or collaborating with therapists on integrated care plans, our Medical Director plays a central role in every client’s treatment journey.

Key responsibilities include:

• Psychiatric evaluations for new clients
• Ongoing medication management and monitoring
• Coordination with therapists and case managers
• Oversight of clinical risk and safety planning
• Collaboration with outside providers when appropriate

Our Medical Director is onsite multiple days per week and available for consultation between scheduled visits. We believe access to medical leadership should be consistent, not an afterthought.

Medication Management

Many of our clients benefit from medications as part of their recovery process. These might include:

• Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications
• Mood stabilizers
• Anti-craving medications for substance use disorders (e.g., naltrexone)
• Sleep aids for short-term stabilization
• ADHD medications when clinically appropriate and non-divertible

All medications are prescribed conservatively and with client consent. We do not over-medicate. We do not use medication as a substitute for therapy. But we also don’t shy away from medical solutions that can support healing when used appropriately.

Our medication management services include:

• Individualized psychiatric evaluations
• Ongoing follow-up appointments to assess progress
• Monitoring for side effects or interaction concerns
• Collaboration with the client’s outside medical providers when needed

Every medication decision is part of a broader treatment plan, not a standalone event. We ensure that clients understand their prescriptions, have a voice in their care, and are equipped to use medication safely and responsibly.

Nursing and Support Staff

In addition to our Medical Director, River City Recovery may utilize nurses or medically trained staff to support day-to-day care. This includes:

• Taking vitals during admission or medical check-ins
• Managing refill coordination and pharmacy communication
• Observing medication adherence
• Handling urgent clinical concerns that arise during programming

Our support staff is trained in trauma-informed, non-judgmental care. They understand the challenges of navigating early recovery and bring both professionalism and compassion to every client interaction.

Safety First, Always

Medical oversight plays a critical role in ensuring safety, especially for individuals with complex histories or ongoing health concerns. Whether someone is managing withdrawal symptoms, struggling with mood instability, or dealing with co-occurring conditions like diabetes or hypertension, our team is prepared to respond with care and competence.

We also maintain protocols for psychiatric emergencies, medication side effects, and referral to higher levels of medical or psychiatric care when needed.

At River City Recovery, medical care isn’t just part of the paperwork. It’s part of the healing process. We take it seriously, because your health is the foundation of everything else we hope to build with you.