Medical Substance Abuse

Manijeh K. Nikakhtar, M.D., M.P.H., FACFEI, DABFE, DABFM, CMI, CHS

Child, Adolescent, Adult Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, Forensic Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology

Daily Contact:

Phone: 310-***-**** 927 26th Street

E-mail: *****@***.*** Santa Monica,CA 90403

Education:

Certified in Profiling.

Sponsored by ACFEI and DHS 2007

Certified in Homeland Security: levels: III, IV and V 2002-2005

Sponsored by: ACFEI and DHS

Certified Forensic Medicine/Psychiatry IV

Sponsored by: American College of Forensic Examiner International 1996

Psychoanalytic Training; Southern Calif. Psychoanalytic Institute, Los Angeles 1986-1990

Residency (Specialty) in Psychiatry/Neurology, USC, Los Angeles 1983-1986 Internship in Medicine USC, Los Angeles 1982-1983

Fellowship, in Public Health, Cornell University, New York Hospital, NYC 1966-1968

Master of Public Health (Post Doctoral Degree), University of Tehran, Iran 1969

Master in Education, Ministry of Education, Iran 1978

Doctor of Medicine, University of Tehran, Iran 1966

Certification:

Fellow (Life time), American College of Forensic Examiners International (ACFEI) 2003

Executive Advisory Board, American College of Forensic Medicine 2003

Certified in Homeland Security, CHS V 2003

Certified Medical Investigator, CMI IV 2002

Diplomate:

American Board of Forensic Examiners, DABFE 1996

American Board of Forensic Psychoanalysis, DABFP 1997 American Board of Behavioral Sciences, DBBS 1997

American Board of Psychological Specialties, DAEPS 1997

American Board of Psycho-Pharmacology, DAPP 1979

Certified Forensic Medicine, CMI IV 2002

Certified In Homeland Security, CHS V 2003

Certificate of Accreditation, Medical Commercial Plan Providers 1997

Certificate on Health Care Law and the Worker’s Compensation System 1992

Medical Board of California-Physician and Surgeon 1983

Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Department of Justice 1983

FLEX-Medical Examination 1982

ECFMG Certificate 1981

Master of Education Ministry of Education, Tehran, Iran 1979

Certificate, International Course on Medical education, University of Shiraz, Iran 1979

Professional Experience:

Los Angeles County , Out Patients Clinics -Contract Jan 2008- present

Department of Homeland Security ( ICE Consulting) March 2007- Oct.2007

Child Psychiatry Consult: Riverside County and San Bernardino County Dec. 2004- Jan.2006

Clinical Director, CTC, CYA 2003

Staff Psychiatrist, California Youth Authority August 2002-Oct. 2004

Staff Psychiatrist, WNYVA health care, NY July 2001-March 2002

Contract Psychiatrist.( Part Time)

LA County, Riverside County, Sutter County, Kern County, Kaiser Permanente,

California Department of Correction (Chino, Corona, Chowchilla, Salinas,

Delano and Coalinga) From 2000-2002

Private Practice

Medicine/Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Chemical Dependency, 1986-Present

Development of the first structured program for treatment of young suicidal patients

( Suicide Abstinence Treatment) 1994

Development of the first and the only comprehensive, multidisciplinary program

for treatment of chemical dependency on the basis of scientific approach

(Substance Abstinence Treatment). 1997

Setting a clinic for treatment of Panic Disorder at WNYVA, Buffalo Jan. 2002

Treatment of PTSD at WNYVA, July 2001-March 2002

Treatment of patients with chemical dependency (VISTA) at WNYVA, July 2001-March 2002

Assistant Professor, Clinical Faculty, UCLA 1986-2001

Teaching, Administration and Patient Care,

Veterans’ Administration Hospital, WLA 1986-1988

Professor, Research, and Administration, School of Medicine,

School of Pharmacy and School of Public Health Tehran, Iran 1969-1980

Director, M.P.H. and M.S.P.H. Programs, School of Public Health,

University of Tehran 1977-1980

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative 1976-1980

Chair Person, Department of Epidemiology and Pathobiology,

University of Tehran 1975-1980 Director, Influenza National Center, (Middle Eastern Branch) 1975-1980

Relevant Experience:

Founder and President, Citizens of the World for Humanity (A Non Profit Organization) 1999- pres

Advisory Board, Metropolitan State Hospital 1994- 2004

Board of Directors, Chinatown Community Service 1996-1998

Board of Governors, The Maple Counseling Center 1994-1998

Board of Directors, El Nido Family Center 1994-1996

Southern California Psychiatric Society

Chairperson, Membership Committee ( 4 years) 1986-1989

Ethics Committee of SCPS ( 12 years) 1987-1999

West Los Angeles Council 1995

Board of Director, SOS 1999-Pres

Professional Affiliations:

ACFEI, Chapter Coordinator 2003

Executive Advisory Board, American Board of Forensic Medicine 2003- Pres

Fellow-American College of Forensic Examiners International, International 1996-pres

Chairperson, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, American Liberty University 2000-2002

Ventura County, Department of Mental Health 1998-2003

Riverside County, Department of Mental Health 2000-2001

American Society of Forensic Medicine 1996-Pres

Board of Director, Iranian Medical Society 1986-2000

American Medical Association 1985-1990

Los Angeles County Medical Association 1986-1990

American Psychiatric Association 1983-1999

Southern California Psychiatric Society 1983-1999

Chancellor Associate, University of California, Los Angeles. 1996-1998

Awards/Citations:

Award of Recognition for Suicide Prevention Program:

Dr. S. Mayberg, Director of Department of Mental Health, State of California 1997

Recognition of Outstanding Voluntary Service:

Metropolitan State Hospital 1994, 1997, & 1999, 2001, 2003

Award, “Honored Professional”:

Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals 1997

Letters of Recognition, Certificates of Appreciation;

Sheriff of Los Angeles County ( Leroy Baca) 2000

Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus, Buffalo University New York 2000

James Christopher, Founder, President, SOS 2000

Governor, State of California 1984 &1986

County of Los Angeles, Board of Supervisors 1996

Secretary of Health and Welfare, State of California 1996

Chief, Fire Department, Los Angeles County 1996

California State Senate 1994

County of Los Angeles, Sheriff’s Department 1994

Mayor, City of Los Angeles 1996

Mayor, City of Beverly Hills, 1994

Research, Projects and Publications:

Speaker- ACFEI ( Drug Laws and Addiction) Oct. 2004

Sponsored California State Senate Bill (SB 405 & SB 1811)

“Suicide Prevention and Treatment Pilot Program” 1998 & 1999

Research study, “Brain Function” before and after treatment of drug addiction Pres.

The role of nutrional supplement in treatment of substance abuse Pres.

Addiction as Self- Medication Pres.

The role of genetic and environmental in substance abuse Pres.

Research Study on Treatment and Intervention

Epidemiological, Psychodynamic, and Biological Factors in Suicide. Pres.

Research Study; Medical-Psychobiological Disorders and Addiction

A study on 400 patients (in collaboration with RAND Institute) In Process of Publishing

Natural Hazards ( St. Johns Wort and Hypertension Crisis) In Process of Publishing

Research Project; A new approach in the treatment of Chemical Dependency

(In collaboration with the World Health Organization) In Process

Author: “Addiction or Self Medication?” The Truth Book .Nov.2000

Second Edition, to be published soon

Author: Love and Joy (Book for children) Ready for Publication

Author: From Self-Medication to Self-Empowerment Ready for Publication

Author of 33 research publications in International Journals

Subjects: 1968-Pres.

Influenza Vaccines, Influenza Viremia Malnutrition and Viral Infections,

Dialysis and Peptic Ulcer, Hepatitis B, Prevention with Specific Immunoglobulin,

Rubella Vaccine, Mumps and Diabetes Mellitus, Effects of Protein-Calorie Nutrition on

Immune Response, Beta Blockers and Essential Hypertension, Rifampicine and viral replication, HB subtypes in Iran, prevalence of Hepatitis B in blood donors and in addicts, Influenza and Hemorrhagic cystitis.

Other Publications:

1-Nikakhtar, M.K.

Panic Disorder: Efficacy of Treatment with Alprazolam.

Publication by Upjohn Pharmaceutical Company. 1993

2- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Panic Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment.

Century Journal, 1994

3- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Suicide Aversion Treatment, Manual, 1994

4- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Suicide Anonymous Treatment News letter, LIVING

Editor in Chief, 1995-1998

5-Nikakhtar, M.K.

Suicide, Tragic but treatable.

Living, 1998

6- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Substance Abstinent Treatment, Manuel, 1998

7- Nikakhtar, M.K.M.D. and Markert, L., PhD

Addiction or Self Medication?The Truth. Book 2000

8- Nikakhtar, M.K., M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Addiction Treatment. Clinical Psychiatric News. March 2001

9- Nikakhtar,M.K.,M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Treatment of Addiction, Beyond AA. Internal Medical News, April 2001

10 Nikakhtar, M.K.,M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Brief Biological Review of Addiction and recovery. SOS, Winter 2001

11- Nikakhtar, M.K., M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Recovery and the Dynamic of Aggression. SOS 2001

12- Nikakhtar,M.K., M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Development of Ego Function: Balancing the instinct and the Superego.SOS, 2001

13- Nikakhtar, M.K., M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

The Mind, Its Function and Addiction, A psychoanalytic Review. SOS, Spring 2002

14- Nikakhtar, M.K., M.D. and Markert, L, PhD.

Resolving the Conflicts and Lifelong Recovery, SOS, 2002

15- Nature and Nurture in the Cycle of Addiction. SOS, 2002

16- Nikakhtar, M.K.

The Natural Hazard ( St. Johns Wort and its dangers), Ready for publishing.

17- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Love and Joy ( Book for Children), Ready for publishing.

18- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Osama Psychopathology, EGO, Published at WNY VHA. 2002

19- Nikakhtar, M.K.

Psychiatry for Public ( Case Study), In process of completion

20- Jiuseppe Garibaldi, The adventurous life of his youth,

To be published soon

Author of over hundred fifty articles in the field of psychiatry (Suicide, Anxiety, Panic Disorders, Depression, Culture and behavior, Family therapy, Addiction) in Persian Journals.

Eight years of radio talk and TV program (in Persian) to educate public about psychiatric disorders and treatment.

Several interviews with magazines (Los Angeles Times, Vanity Fair, People Magazine, La Opinion etc) and TV programs ( CNN, E-TV, PBS, etc) on subjects related to mental health and addiction.

Other Special Skills:

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

I have worked extensively in Child and Adolescent psychiatry during my professional career. While I was completing my psychiatric residency at USC, I worked for an extended period of time at the Child Psychiatric Division, in both the outpatient and inpatients services. I treated the most complicated cases successfully.

I have used my psychoanalytical training to diagnose child and adolescent psychiatric issues with much more insight. In my full time private practice, over 35% of my patients were under 18 years old (most ranged from 3 to 18 years old). During my 18 years in private practice, I diagnosed and treated many different child disorders such as ADDH, learning disabilities, child psychosis, family problems, separation anxiety, childhood depression, behavioral problems, and teen suicide. Furthermore, I sponsored and co-wrote a bill for the California State Senate regarding suicide prevention. The research and developments I have made in the field of psychiatry has been acknowledged by the State Secretary of Health and Welfare, the Director of the Department of Mental Health, Governor Wilson of California, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, City Mayors within Southern California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, and the Los Angeles County Chief of Police.

My effectiveness in treating children and adolescents encouraged me to use my expertise to develop a unique therapeutic technique for the treatment and prevention of youth drug abuse. Since the age of drug use has decreased significantly in our country, with most starting to use illicit drugs by the age of 11-12, my Substance Abuse Treatment method can help young people overcome drug use so that they may realize a successful future.

My passion for helping today's youth inspired me to author a book for children as well. The book deals with childhood development and treats sensitive issues in an unusually creative and compelling manner. This book will help its young readers understand the problems of life and teaches them to improve their skills in handling so many growing pains. This book also serves to assist parents so that they may develop a better understanding of their children's feelings and behaviors.

I have been treating many children at psychiatric emergency hospitals, children's clinics, youth centers, and juvenile halls. My care for children and adolescents, combined with my professional expertise, has enabled me to treat the most difficult cases with great success. In doing so, I have earned the appreciation and respect of the numerous staff and psychiatric teams with whom I had the pleasure of working.

Treatment of adolescents and young adults with suicide ideation and tendency:

During my 20 years of practice, I treated many patients with suicide ideation and plan. I had the opportunity to treat them successfully without a single loss of life. This resulted the development of a unique, structured program for treatment of suicidal individuals. Two senators proposed the bills

to support this program. Presently Congressman Dymally is planning to write another bill for suicide

prevention and treatment on the basis of this structured program.

Treatment of adolescents and young adults with Attention deficit Disorders with & without Hyperactivity, Conduct Disorder, Disorders of Impulse Control and disruptive behaviors:

During my private practice and out-side of private practice (Contract) I had the opportunity

to work with and to treat many young people with different psychiatric disorders manifested in behavioral problems. I was able to make significant changes by using multi-disciplinary approaches

in their treatment including change in their defense mechanisms by psycho-education and role- modeling techniques.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder:

Since 1985, I developed extensive experience in treatment of patients with Post Traumatic Stress

Disorders. I worked from 1986 to 1988 at Veteran administration Hospital at Los Angeles. I also

Helped hundreds of patients with PTSD at WNYVA

During my private practice in Los Angeles, I treated successfully many Iranian with PTSD who left Iran after being incarcerated and tortured.

Anxiety and Panic Disorder:

Panic Disorder is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorder which is also the most undiagnosed

During past 20 years I have been able to treat successfully hundreds of cases with anxiety, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Since this psychiatric illness is more common in people with high IQ, majority of my patients who recovered from this disorder are prominent figures in government, in federal and state level.

Effective Treatment of Chemical Dependency and Addiction:

In past sixteen years, I had the opportunity to successfully treat hundreds of patients using psychoactive

substances. My services at Veteran Administration Hospital, Private practice, working in prison system and county facilities, gave me enough experiences and insights to understand the nature and dynamic of using psychoactive substances and develop a unique scientific and effective model for treatment of chemical dependency and addiction. Many professionals believe that this program will be the future model for treatment of addiction and for successful recovery. I had numerous interviewing by different newspapers, magazines and journals such as; Los Angeles Times, Beverly Hills Courier, La Opinion, News Week, Vanity Fair, People Magazine and Oprah Magazine as well as TV programs as In-LA, Midnight show and Extra.

Also I recently published a book titled “ Addiction or Self Medication? The Truth” in which the nature of substance use and the politics of addiction are discussed; leading to conclusion that addiction is a form of self-medication and can be treated under medical/psychiatric care Also the results of my years experience with such patients are under publication.

The results of my effort in understanding the cause of addiction reflected in presentation made by

Dr. A. Leshner, previous director of NIDA at US senate, emphasizing that people use drugs as

self-medicating for their underlying psychiatric disorders.

“ Addiction or Self Medication? The Truth”. Book, published Nov. 2000

Second revised edition will be published soon.

A statement from the Honorable Leroy Baca, Sheriff of Los Angeles County.

“ This book discusses the nature of chemical dependency and offers a new scientific path to recovery. It explains in language everyone can understand how addiction is a psychiatric disorder and how drug use is for millions a way of self-medicating.”

Dr. Paul Kurtz, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, State University of New York at Buffalo

“I congratulate the authors for providing a new vision for the treatment of millions of Americans suffering from drug addiction. Addiction is a medical issue that needs medical psychiatric intervention. I am confidence that SAT will be the future model for the treatment of chemical dependency.”

Jim Christopher, Founder and Executive Director, Secular Organization for Sobriety

“ This is a groundbreaking book that could save millions of lives. In the field of addiction and chemical dependency it is a breath of fresh air that is long overdue. It breaks the mold of traditional recovery programs and establishes a practical, scientific medical-psychiatric approach to treatment. The Substance Abstinence Treatment Program (SAT) is the only multidisciplinary, comprehensive and scientific treatment program I ever seen.”

Book Description:

This book presents a contemporary breakthrough view of substance addiction and recovery and outlines the components of a comprehensive, scientific, state-of-the art approach for the treatment of chemical dependency and addiction. It discusses psychosocial, psychobiological, and other aspects of addiction. The authors explore the dynamics of the development of Alcoholics Anonymous and the limitations of its 12-step fellowship approach to recovery. Topics include: drugs as self-medication, the reward pathways of the brain, the psychology and physiology of craving, the psychodynamics of addiction and recovery, cultural attitudes towards drugs and alcohol, the need for legal and criminal justice reform, and the role of defense mechanisms in addiction and recovery.

Amazon Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: Based on 10 reviews.

Science before Superstition, December 16, 2003

Reviewer: Alec Henderson from Los Angeles, CA USA

The empire of Alcoholic's Anonymous and its enfeebled crew of inbred 12 step groups have occupied the field of "substance abuse recovery" to the point of becoming a dictatorship. This volume appropriately calls this bully to task for its monolithic and monotheistic occupation of the medical field and calls for research that goes beyond that which currently panders to the 12 step oligarchy. Thanks to pioneers like Dr. Nikakhtar and Dr. Stanton Peale this archaic AA orthodoxy which has so slowed medical advance and kept addiction science in the dark ages may soon deservedly lose its exalted status and be sent packing to join like minded control cults in the relative obscurity now enjoyed by the flat-earth society.

Intelligent, accessible, insightful, October 9, 2002

Reviewer: Howard Pratt from Detroit, MI

Perhaps this book is not suitable to those who dismiss medicine as a science, but for readers in search of scientific facts, this book is indeed insightful as it adds valuable knowledge to the field of substance treatment. I commend the authors of this book for stating a fact that had been unexposed for too long. After watching Dr. Nikakhtar on CNN, I ordered this book and found it useful and intelligent. The authors of this book look far into the biological and psycho-social factors of addiction and diligently report what the scientific community has held to be true for a long time--that substance abuse is not the fault of the addict but the result of biological and psycho-social conditions that can be addressed and treated. The authors have painstakingly outlined the source of addiction and have finally de-stigmatized addiction, explaining that it is a medical condition that can be treated and CURED!!!

I've recommended this book to my colleagues in the field of health care and they have found it equally helpful in their treatment of addiction.

se prudence in reading this book, June 6, 2003

Reviewer: A reader from USA

Approach the treatment outlined in Nikakhtar and Markert's "Addiction or Self-Medication? The Truth," with skepticism.

Intelligent, accessible, insightful, October 9, 2002

Reviewer: Howard Pratt from Detroit, MI

Perhaps this book is not suitable to those who dismiss medicine as a science, but for readers in search of scientific facts, this book is indeed insightful as it adds valuable knowledge to the field of substance treatment. I commend the authors of this book for stating a fact that had been unexposed for too long. After watching Dr. Nikakhtar on CNN, I ordered this book and found it useful and intelligent. The authors of this book look far into the biological and psycho-social factors of addiction and diligently report what the scientific community has held to be true for a long time--that substance abuse is not the fault of the addict but the result of biological and psycho-social conditions that can be addressed and treated. The authors have painstakingly outlined the source of addiction and have finally de-stigmatized addiction, explaining that it is a medical condition that can be treated and CURED!!!

I've recommended this book to my colleagues in the field of health care and they have found it equally helpful in their treatment of addiction.

\

Insightful!, February 9, 2001

Reviewer: Professor of Medicine from Boston, MA

The authors have dissected the anatomy of addiction and have exposed the causes of substance abuse. This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to understand drug addiction and recovery. Finally, the authors cleverly illustrate how recovery is achieved and successfully maintained. The book is quite an accomplishment in the field of health and science.

Concise, precise, and of tremendous value to the community, January 22, 2001

Reviewer: A reader from Los Angeles, CA United States

This book, written in layman's terms, is a fast read while loaded with invaluable information. It is the most innovative approach to substance abuse recovery. The authors dispel the notion that substance abuse is a character flaw, from which one will never recover. They set about empowering the medical community to take action in helping those who are self-medicating via substance abuse. It inspires those who are self-medicating via substance abuse to feel empowered to resolve the underlying issues that have caused the substance abuse in the first place. This is a book that eliminates the victim mentality of typical 12-step programs and encourages self-empowerment. It is a must read for anyone in the medical field, as well as for anyone who has or is self medicating via substance abuse, or has someone in their lives who is self-medicating via substance abuse.

A terrific book!, January 18, 2001

Reviewer: C. Baumbach from Santa Barbara, CA

Explains the biochemical basis of addiction in very clear and understandable language.Great summary of drugs and how they affect us. I particularly liked the section on Bill Wilson and the beginnings of AA.

An alternative to addition, January 14, 2001

Reviewer: S. Bell from New York, NY

I would like to congratulate the authors of this book. It is a revolutionary work on the problem of addiction. It both powerfully written and well-researched, yet doesn't talk over the heads of the general public. Given the absolute failure of AA-based models to understand, nevertheless solve the problems of chemical dependency, this book returns hope of an alternative to addiction.

A new approach to drug addiction, January 11, 2001

Reviewer: A reader from Redondo Beach, CA USA

This book completely changed the way I look at addiction. I've always felt addiction was a personality flaw. How wrong I was. The new biochemical understanding of alcoholism and addiction, as beautifully explained in this book, will really help millions of people seek the right treatment for this devastating illness.

Compelling!, January 5, 2001

Reviewer: N.N.B. from Seattle, WA USA

This book is terrific... It is the first attempt at dispelling the myth about drug abuse, and the attempt falls no less than superb. The book dissects the physiology and psychology of drug use, but it does so in layman terms. It also exposes the truth about what causes drug use--what the doctors and the media don't tell us. It is easy to read and gives you the complete story. In other words, it de-mystifies substance addiction. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!

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