(Newswire.net -- February 7, 2013) Seymour, IN -- In order to protect their physical and mental wellbeing, women should create a comprehensive medical plan that will protect their future and act as a security measure in case of emergency. Life is full of surprises; tackling them with preparedness ensures continued mental wellness and physical health so that neither becomes a cause for anxiety or depression.

There are many things that women can do to create a supportive medical network for themselves. Here are four ways women can ensure continued recovery from mental health, addiction or substance abuse issues by creating a secure medical network:

1. Find Doctors

A woman recovering from substance abuse may need new doctors, especially if her existing physicians contributed to her issues by prescribing potentially addictive drugs. All women, regardless of background should find doctors that will prescribe appropriate medications while taking mental health history into account. A woman with a history of mental health, addiction or substance abuse should have a support net consisting of a primary care physician, psychiatrist, therapist, gynecologist, dentist, ophthalmologist and other doctors needed to address her unique medical issues. By seeing specialists who are familiar with their conditions, women ensure they receive the best possible medical care.

2. Establish Familiarity

Establishing relationships with doctors is crucial to optimal health. Studies show that doctors who have established familiarity with their patients are able to provide increased quality of care and patients have more positive results from these visits. Additionally, a doctor familiar with a woman’s health and medical history will be better able to create comprehensive treatment plans that take their history into account and won’t prescribe drugs that may be dangerous or counterproductive to a woman’s mental health.

3. Keep A Schedule

Women should keep a calendar of appointments to make sure that none are missed, and schedule their next appointment at the end of each visit. It is better to reschedule a medical appointment than to forget it entirely. While a medical issue may seem small, it can quickly snowball and it is healthier to take preventative measures before things get out of hand.

4. Protocol for Emergencies

Emergencies happen. A medical emergency plan isn’t simply about feeding pets, paying bills or managing a house. It is also about having proper legal documents executed and having a safety net of trusted doctors to rely on. Doctors should know a woman’s instructions should she be unable to communicate them herself as well as be familiar with her medical history and medication requirements. Should something happen, a woman should know where to go. Her trusted friends and family should also know where to go should something happen to her. A medical emergency plan means that no one is scrambling to find help or information should anything happen.  

By establishing a secure network of professionals familiar with her medical background and mental health needs, a woman can prevent disasters before they happen, keep healthy in the long-term and prevent medical complications from damaging her physical and mental wellness.

This is the first piece of a large puzzle that ensures optimal security in recovery from mental health, substance abuse and addiction issues. Brookhaven Retreat’s residential treatment program for women with substance abuse, addiction and mental health issues teaches women the skills required to lead healthy lives after recovery. When a woman is physically healthy, the first piece of the puzzle has been laid and she has the power to take charge of her life and lead it to where she wants.

For more information about Brookhaven Retreat’s exclusive inpatient recovery program, visit http://www.brookhavenretreat.com/cms/ or call 865-573-3656