Addiction Counseling in Cooper City: Options and What to Expect

TLDR

• Addiction counseling pairs talk-based therapy with support for substance use disorders, and works best when combined with medical care for the whole person [1]
  
• For many people, the most complete care addresses both a substance use disorder and any co-occurring mental health condition at the same time, an approach often called integrated treatment [4]
  
• Medication can be part of a treatment plan: naltrexone is FDA-approved for both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder and is one piece of a broader plan that includes counseling [2]
  
• At Twelve Oaks Psychiatry, Michael Hernandez, APRN, PMHNP-BC, initiates naltrexone and continues Suboxone care for people already established on that medication who are transferring their care [3]
  
• Telehealth makes addiction-related psychiatric care reachable across Florida, which removes a common barrier for people in Cooper City and the wider South Florida region [5]
  
• If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911 in an emergency [6]

What addiction counseling actually involves

Addiction counseling is structured, talk-based support that helps a person understand substance use, build coping skills, and work toward recovery goals. It often uses approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people recognize and change the thinking patterns that raise the risk of substance use [4]. Counseling rarely stands alone. Federal health guidance describes a whole-person model where counseling and behavioral therapy work alongside medical care when medication is appropriate [1].

For a person living with a substance use disorder, counseling can do several things at once: it offers a private place to talk through triggers, it builds practical tools for difficult moments, and it keeps recovery goals in view over time. The format varies. Some people meet once a week, while others need more frequent contact early on.

How counseling and medical care fit together

The most complete care often combines counseling with medical support rather than treating them as separate tracks. The FDA has approved several medications for alcohol and opioid use disorders, and these are most useful when a person also takes part in a treatment program that includes counseling [1]. Medication helps with cravings and withdrawal symptoms; counseling helps with the patterns, relationships, and daily decisions that medication cannot reach. Together they support recovery from more than one angle.

Where psychiatric care fits in addiction treatment

Psychiatric care matters in addiction treatment because substance use and mental health conditions frequently occur together. Roughly 17 million U.S. adults experienced both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in a single recent year [4]. When both are present, this is often called dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders [4].

Research consistently shows that treating both conditions at the same time produces better results than treating each one separately [7]. The older idea that a mental health condition cannot be addressed until substance use stops is now considered outdated; current guidance calls for both to be addressed together so each provider understands how the two conditions affect one another [4]. A psychiatric care provider can assess for an underlying condition like depression or anxiety, coordinate medication where appropriate, and make sure counseling and medical care point in the same direction.

Medication options a psychiatric provider may discuss

Medication is one component of a treatment plan, not a replacement for counseling. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication for both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder, available as a daily pill for alcohol use disorder and as a monthly extended-release injection [2]. It works by reducing cravings and blunting the rewarding effects of alcohol or opioids, and SAMHSA describes it as one part of a comprehensive plan that includes counseling and behavioral therapies [2].

A separate category of medication, buprenorphine (often known by the brand Suboxone), is used in opioid use disorder treatment. Some people are already established on this medication and need a provider to continue that care when they move or change practices.

Getting started in Cooper City and across Florida

People looking for addiction-related psychiatric care in Cooper City can reach Twelve Oaks Psychiatry, where Michael Hernandez, APRN, PMHNP-BC, provides psychiatric care for adults and adolescents. The practice is located at 10400 Griffin Rd, Suite 201, Cooper City, FL 33328, and can be reached at (954) 947-1130. Same-day appointments are available, and telehealth is offered statewide across Florida, which makes care reachable whether someone is in South Florida or another part of the state.

Within addiction medicine, Michael initiates naltrexone as part of a treatment plan that includes counseling and ongoing support [3]. For people already on Suboxone who are transferring their care, Michael continues that existing prescription as part of Suboxone maintenance. The practice accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicare. Patients are encouraged to confirm in-network status with their plan.

Because substance use and mental health conditions so often travel together, having a psychiatric provider involved means a co-occurring condition like depression or anxiety can be assessed and addressed as part of the same plan, rather than left for later.

What to expect at a first appointment

A first appointment usually centers on understanding the full picture: your history, your current substance use, any mental health symptoms, and your goals. This is a conversation, not a test. The provider gathers enough information to suggest a plan that may include counseling, medication, or coordination with other support.

There is no single right pace. Some people start with frequent contact and ease into a lighter schedule as they stabilize. Others coordinate care across more than one provider. The plan is built around the person, and it can change as recovery progresses.

Frequently asked questions

What is addiction counseling?
Addiction counseling is talk-based therapy that helps a person understand substance use, build coping skills, and work toward recovery goals. It often uses cognitive behavioral therapy and works best alongside medical care when medication is part of the plan [1][4].

Do I need medication, or is counseling enough?
It depends on the person and the substance involved. Counseling helps many people on its own, and for others, medication added to counseling supports recovery from more than one angle. SAMHSA describes medication as one component of a comprehensive plan that includes counseling [2].

Can Twelve Oaks Psychiatry start me on naltrexone?
Yes. Michael Hernandez, APRN, PMHNP-BC, initiates naltrexone as part of a treatment plan that includes counseling and ongoing support [3]. Naltrexone is FDA-approved for both alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder [2].

I am already on Suboxone and moving my care. Can the practice continue it?
Yes. For people already established on Suboxone who are transferring their care, Michael continues that existing prescription as part of Suboxone maintenance [3].

What if I also have depression or anxiety along with substance use?
Treating both conditions at the same time generally produces better results than treating them separately [7]. A psychiatric provider can assess for a co-occurring condition and coordinate care so both are addressed together [4].

Is telehealth available for people outside Cooper City?
Yes. Twelve Oaks Psychiatry offers telehealth statewide across Florida, which makes psychiatric care reachable for people throughout South Florida and beyond.

What if my symptoms feel urgent or I am in crisis?
If you feel you might harm yourself or someone else, or you are in immediate danger, call 911 right away. For crisis support, you can call or text 988. Florida lists 211 as a resource for crisis information and referrals in many communities [6].

HIPAA and Medical Disclaimer

This blog is general education, not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this does not create a clinician-patient relationship.

If you feel you might harm yourself or someone else, or you are in immediate danger, call 9-1-1 right away.

For crisis support, you can call or text 988. Florida lists 2-1-1 as a resource for crisis information and referrals in many communities.

Privacy note: Do not share sensitive personal health information through public comments, unsecured email, or social media. For care questions, use a secure patient portal or call an office line so your information can be handled privately, consistent with HIPAA expectations for health information privacy.

Citations

[1] [2] SAMHSA — Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder / Naltrexone
https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options

[3] Twelve Oaks Psychiatry — Addiction Treatment
https://twelveoaks.co/service/addiction-treatment/

[4] [7] NAMI — Substance Use Disorders (Co-Occurring Disorders)
https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Common-with-Mental-Illness/Substance-Use-Disorders/

[5] Twelve Oaks Psychiatry
https://twelveoaks.co/

[6] SAMHSA — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
https://www.samhsa.gov