substance abuse psychiatry

[prominence]

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is there any potential to make a high salary(i.e. >$200,000) in this subspecialty of psychiatry? could this be possible as an attending overseeing a detox unit?

 

[Solideliquid]

is there any potential to make a high salary(i.e. >$200,000) in this subspecialty of psychiatry? could this be possible as an attending overseeing a detox unit?

It's very feasible to make that much in a general adult psych private practice setting. So it shouldn't be hard in substance abuse, since you will be doing general adult as well.

 

[prominence]

is there any noticeable difference from an income perspective of specializing in addiction psychiatry compared to general adult psychiatry salaries?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

is there any noticeable difference from an income perspective of specializing in addiction psychiatry compared to general adult psychiatry salaries?

It may be possible to make more, but not as much as in child/adolescent, and not without work. I think those who make larger salaries get there by developing businesses and becoming medical directors of private sector treatment centers, etc. Otherwise, substance abuse is notoriously under-reimbursed by payors, and the patients are very difficult to work with (though also exceedingly grateful for you help if they get clean!)
So please, don't go into it looking for a cash cow. You will hate your patients and hate yourself if you don't go into this field really wanting to do something for addicts.