Medication management and support at Villa Wellness Center is integrated psychiatric medication care for adults with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. Our prescribing team manages psychiatric medications across the program. We work with Aetna, Anthem BCBS, Cigna, and most major plans; call (844) 609-3035 to verify benefits.
Medication Management and Support
Who medication management is for
Medication management at Villa is for adults in treatment for substance use disorder who also need pharmacological support for co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorder, or ADHD. The work runs in parallel with therapy, group programming, and the rest of treatment rather than as a standalone clinic.
Adults who benefit most typically meet one or more of these conditions: a co-occurring mental health diagnosis being treated alongside substance use disorder; a prior psychiatric medication regimen that needs review during the transition into sobriety; persistent depression, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, or sleep disruption that did not resolve with sobriety alone; or a new psychiatric diagnosis identified during the initial clinical assessment.
You do not need a formal diagnosis to begin. The intake assessment screens for the full clinical picture, and the prescriber confirms or refines diagnoses across the first weeks of treatment. Treatment plans are jointly developed with you and the clinical team.
WHY CHOOSE US
What medication management at Villa looks like
Medication management at Villa runs as a coordinated clinical service alongside therapy and the rest of treatment, with prescribing handled by our psychiatric nurse practitioner Robert Briglia Jr., MS, APN, under the oversight of medical director Dr. Courtney Scott, MD.
Treatment begins with an initial psychiatric assessment during intake. The prescriber reviews your medication history, current symptoms, prior diagnoses, and any active prescriptions; assesses substance and medication interaction risk during medical detox where applicable; and proposes a starting medication plan, which is reviewed with you before any prescription is written.
Visit frequency follows the clinical picture rather than a fixed calendar. Most adults see the prescriber weekly during the first 4 to 6 weeks while medications are being titrated, then biweekly as the regimen stabilizes, then monthly during outpatient and aftercare. Each visit reviews symptom changes, side effects, sleep, appetite, mood, and adherence.
Coordination with the rest of the clinical team is built into the work. The prescriber, the therapist, and the clinical director Danielle Decembrino, LSW, LCADC, CCS, CTP, CMIP, meet in weekly case conference so that medication decisions reflect what is happening in therapy and group programming, and the therapy work reflects medication-related clinical changes.
Evidence-Based Therapies We Offer
Medications we manage
Villa’s medication management covers five categories of psychiatric pharmacological treatment used in dual diagnosis and co-occurring care. Specific prescribing decisions are made jointly with you based on diagnosis, history, and clinical fit.
SSRIs and SNRIs
SSRIs and SNRIs are the most-prescribed medications for depression, anxiety, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress symptoms in adults with co-occurring substance use disorder. These medications take 4 to 6 weeks to reach full clinical effect and require sustained adherence, which is one reason early-recovery medication support matters.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers manage bipolar disorder, severe mood instability, and selected cases of treatment-resistant depression. Examples in this class include lithium, lamotrigine, and valproate. Lithium-based treatment requires periodic blood-level monitoring, which our team coordinates as part of the management plan.
Atypical antipsychotics
Atypical antipsychotics are used when bipolar disorder includes psychotic features, when severe symptoms do not respond to first-line treatment, or when other clinical conditions call for them. These medications carry their own monitoring requirements such as metabolic markers and weight tracking, which our team follows across the treatment timeline.
Non-stimulant ADHD medications
ADHD treatment in early recovery typically uses non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine or guanfacine rather than stimulant-class drugs. Bupropion, which is primarily an antidepressant, is sometimes used off-label for ADHD in adults with co-occurring depression. Stimulants are clinically appropriate for some adults later in recovery, but the early-recovery default is non-stimulant because the addictive potential of stimulants creates conflict with sobriety goals.
PRN and sleep medications
PRN and sleep medications are used cautiously and on time-limited schedules in addiction treatment. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) and Z-drug sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta) carry their own dependence potential and are avoided as first-line treatment for adults with substance use disorder. Non-addictive alternatives include trazodone for sleep, hydroxyzine for anxiety, and other class options matched to the clinical picture.
Medication management at Villa vs. fragmented prescribing
The difference between medication management at Villa and getting prescriptions from a primary-care provider plus an outside psychiatrist is coordination, addiction-medicine specificity, and the frequency of clinical review during early recovery.
Dimension | Villa medication management | Primary care + outside psychiatrist |
Prescriber coordination | Single team; weekly case conferences with therapy and medical staff | Separate providers; you carry the coordination |
Addiction-medicine specificity | Prescribers trained in addiction medicine and interactions between psychiatric medications and active recovery | General psychiatric practice; addiction context handled secondhand |
Recovery-context interaction review | Built into every visit; coordinated with the rest of the clinical team | Often missed unless you raise it |
Monitoring during early recovery | Weekly during titration, then biweekly, then monthly | Standard 4-to-12-week intervals regardless of recovery phase |
Communication with therapy team | Active; therapist and prescriber share notes through case conference | None unless you arrange release-of-information consents |
Coordination matters most during early recovery, when symptoms are shifting, medications are being adjusted, and the risk of both over-medication and symptom undertreatment is high. Both extremes raise relapse risk.
Insurance coverage for medication management
Villa Wellness Center works with most major insurance plans. Medication management is delivered as part of the integrated treatment program; coverage is bundled with the level of care your treatment plan calls for. Coverage depends on your plan. We verify your benefits before treatment begins, free of charge. Call (844) 609-3035 to start verification, or use the form on this page. If your plan does not cover the level of care recommended, our admissions team can discuss self-pay options and financing.
If you have one of these plans, our team can help you use your coverage: Aetna · Blue Cross Blue Shield · Cigna · Humana · United Healthcare
Medication management for Camden County and surrounding areas
Villa’s Sicklerville facility delivers medication management across Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties. SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that approximately 21 million US adults had both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental illness in the past year, representing nearly half of all adults with a substance use disorder, and addiction-medicine clinical guidelines treat coordinated medication management as standard of care for that population.
We serve South Jersey, including Sicklerville, Blackwood, Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Gloucester Township, Pine Hill, Berlin, Clementon, Stratford, and Somerdale in Camden County; Williamstown, Glassboro, Washington Township, Sewell, and Turnersville in Gloucester County; and Mount Laurel, Marlton, Medford, and Moorestown in Burlington County. The facility is accessible via the Atlantic City Expressway and Route 42.
New Jersey recorded more than 2,300 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2023 according to NJ Department of Health data, and the broader population of adults with substance use disorder in the region carries above-average co-occurring mental health needs. Insurance verification takes about 15 minutes by phone, and higher levels of care can be coordinated within 24 to 48 hours of the first call.
Take Control of Your Mental Health With Expert Medication Management & Support in New Jersey
Whether you’re starting a new medication, adjusting an existing prescription, or seeking ongoing psychiatric support, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care every step of the way. We prioritize your comfort, safety, and long-term success through personalized treatment and regular follow-up care. Contact us today to learn more about our medication management services and how we can support your journey toward improved mental wellness. Your privacy is always respected, and all information shared is kept confidential.
Frequently asked questions
What is medication management in addiction treatment?
Medication management is the prescribing and ongoing review of psychiatric medications by a licensed clinician, integrated with the rest of the treatment program. The work covers psychiatric medications for co-occurring conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD), with regular visits to adjust doses, monitor side effects, and coordinate with the therapy team.
Who prescribes the medications at Villa?
Our psychiatric nurse practitioner Robert Briglia Jr., MS, APN, prescribes and manages medications under the oversight of medical director Dr. Courtney Scott, MD. Dr. Scott is board-eligible in Addiction Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Internal Medicine. The two work alongside the clinical director, Danielle Decembrino, LSW, LCADC, CCS, CTP, CMIP, on the integrated treatment plan.
Will I have to take psychiatric medication during recovery?
No. The decision to use medication is part of your treatment plan and is made jointly with you and the prescriber. Many adults benefit from psychiatric medication for co-occurring depression, anxiety, PTSD, or bipolar conditions; others recover well without it.
Can I keep taking the medications I'm already on?
In most cases, yes, with clinical review. The prescriber reviews your current medications at intake, considers interactions with detox protocols where applicable, and either continues, adjusts, or replaces medications based on the clinical picture. Changes are explained before they happen.
Are there medications that should be avoided in early recovery?
Yes. Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) and Z-drug sleep medications (Ambien, Lunesta) carry their own dependence potential and are avoided as first-line treatment for adults with substance use disorder. Stimulant medications for ADHD are typically replaced with non-stimulant alternatives such as atomoxetine or guanfacine during early recovery, with bupropion considered off-label in adults with co-occurring depression.
How often will I see the prescriber?
Weekly during the first 4 to 6 weeks of treatment while medications are being titrated, then biweekly as the regimen stabilizes, then monthly during outpatient and aftercare. Visits can be more frequent during transitions or when symptoms shift; the schedule is set by clinical need.
Does insurance cover medication management?
In most cases, yes. Medication management is delivered as part of the integrated treatment program and is covered by most commercial insurance plans at the authorized level of care. Coverage specifics depend on your plan, and we verify your benefits free of charge before treatment begins.
How do I get started?
Call (844) 609-3035 to speak with admissions, or use the form on this page to start insurance verification. The intake includes a clinical assessment that screens for medication needs alongside the rest of treatment. Higher levels of care can be coordinated within 24 to 48 hours.
Dr. Courtney Scott
Medical Director
Dr. Courtney Scott
Medical Director
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Courtney Scott, MD. Board-eligible in Addiction Medicine, Medical Director at Villa Wellness Center. Full bio at about-us/our-team/
Reviewed for clinical accuracy against current American Music Therapy Association practice standards.
Start medication management in Sicklerville
If medication management and support is the right next step, call (844) 609-3035 to speak with admissions or use the form on this page to start insurance verification. Most admissions happen within 24 to 48 hours for higher levels of care.