Admitting that you have an addiction isn’t easy and the process of overcoming addiction is very challenging. However, it can be made easier with professional support.

Addiction treatment professionals are trained and certified to treat people with substance use disorders. Their professional training, expertise, and on-the-job experience ensure that you or your loved ones get the best addiction treatment possible. It also means they have a better chance at achieving full and lasting recovery.

Before we introduce you to our board-certified doctors and addiction specialists here at Briarwood Detox Center, we’ll explain the significance of having addiction specialists on-staff as well as their qualifications.

What Is An Addiction Specialist?

An addiction specialist is a medical doctor or psychiatrist that is certified in addiction treatment. The certification means that the doctor has completed additional training in the area of addiction treatment. Certification also signifies that the doctor has proven that they have a high level of expertise in treating addiction and are more qualified to treat individuals with substance use disorders than non-certified doctors.

Addiction specialists have an exceptional understanding of addiction as well as the different treatment methods that are endorsed and supported by medical professionals. As a result, they are distinctly qualified to diagnose and treat many types of drug addictions. They are also well-equipped to provide effective care for the various physical and psychiatric problems that long-term substance abusers experience.

Not every addiction treatment center employs addiction specialists. This means the staff at these facilities are generally less capable of providing comprehensive and effective addiction treatment. 

Choosing a detox center for a loved one or going there yourself requires that you place an enormous amount of trust in an addiction treatment provider. So why place your trust in someone inexperienced and unqualified?

At Briarwood Detox Center, all of our drug and alcohol detox programs are designed and managed by board-certified doctors: Dr. Jason ZW Powers, MD, MAPP and Dr. Frederic J. Wilson, MD. You can read more about their education, qualifications, and professional experience below.

Dr. Jason ZW Powers, MD, MAPP

Dr. Jason ZW Powers, MD, MAPP is one of Houston’s premier addiction specialists and a family medicine physician. As an individual in long-term recovery, Powers has been recognized as one of Houston’s “Top Doctors” six different times by H Texas Magazine and was awarded the Compassion Award by Sierra Tucson. 

Dr. Powers is the creator of the Positive Recovery approach to addiction treatment and is the Chief Medical Officer of Positive Recovery Centers. He is also a member of the Editorial Board of Addiction Prevention and Treatment Magazine and has authored articles featured on Huffington Post and Psychology Today. 

In addition, Dr. Powers has written several books that are great resources for individuals who are struggling with addiction, their loved ones, and the professionals treating them.

• “When the Servant Becomes the Master”: In this book, Powers explores the entire spectrum of addiction-related topics, guiding the reader through the neuroscience of addiction, treatment options, myths and misinformation about addiction, and more. 
• “Positive Recovery Daily Guide”: This book introduces PIs (positive interventions) that are designed to improve all aspects of life in recovery. By offering a new PI for each day of the year, readers can easily use this guide in conjunction with other addiction treatment approaches and programs to enhance their success in recovery.

Dr. Powers lives in Houston with his wife and three children.

Education and Training:

Dr. Powers is board-certified in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine. He also received a Master’s degree in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Professional Affiliations:

Dr. Powers is a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine and a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice.

Frederic J. Wilson, MD 

Dr. Frederic J. Wilson, MD is board-certified in Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is another leading addiction treatment provider in Central Texas and specializes in treating dual diagnosis patients with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and behavioral problems.

As Medical Director of Nova Recovery Center (the sister company of Briarwood Detox Center), Dr. Wilson sees clients regularly. He uses a multidimensional approach to provide comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment that incorporates biological, psychological, and social components.

Education and Training

Dr. Wilson received his undergraduate degree in Biology from California Lutheran University and spent eight years as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman. He completed his doctor of medicine degree at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine and his general psychiatry residency at the UT Southwestern Program in Austin. 

Dr. Wilson’s professional experience spans several different facilities in Texas including Seton Shoal Creek, the University of Texas Mental Health Center, Austin State Hospital, Dell Children’s Medical Center, and more.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Wilson is an affiliate faculty member at UT Dell Medical School, Department of Psychiatry.

Get Help From Certified Doctors and Addiction Specialists at Briarwood

We understand that getting sober is difficult and many of us have been in your shoes at one point in our lives. With the guidance of our two board-certified addiction specialists, the staff at Briarwood Detox Center is ready to help you detox from drugs and alcohol and establish a new life for yourself. 

Our doctors work closely with our team of caring nurses, licensed counselors, coordinators, and recovery specialists to ensure that you or your loved one has the best chance at a full recovery from addiction.

At Briarwood, we offer many types of medical detox programs, including:

• Alcohol detox
• Benzodiazepine (benzo) detox
• Cocaine detox
• Heroin detox
• Opioid detox
• Methamphetamine (meth) detox
• Prescription drug detox
• Synthetic drug detox

We also accept insurance coverage through a variety of providers to ensure detox treatment is an affordable and realistic option for you.
If you’re ready to take advantage of life-changing treatment and start your recovery journey, call (888) 857-0557 to speak with a Briarwood admissions representative today.