A doctor who you have been seeing for more than two years is familiar with your medical history, your appearance and medical tendencies, how you respond to certain medications, regimes, pain, about any previous conditions, and knows how well you maintain your body. Developing a rapport with a family doctor, and attending regular checkups, can be lifesaving when they can draw on the clues provided by every person’s unique medical background.To save thousands of dollars in emergency room fees in the event of a medical event, find a family doctor, develop a relationship, and have one of the most important resources you have on speed dial.

If you are like one in every four Americans, you’ve experienced pain that lasts longer than a day.If you are like millions more, you might have suffered from acute or even chronic pain at some point in your life. A general family practice isn’t just a place to get antibiotics and physicals — the doctors there are well equipped to deal with acute and chronic pain issues, and decide the best course of action. The highly personal environment, especially if you have a relationship with your family practice doctor, can lead to a pain management plan thought out especially for your pain. This goes for emotional and psychological stress as well. Almost 80% of people suffering from depression never seek professional help. Find a family doctor to get trustworthy medical advice, referrals, and associated issues that could be having a negative impact on your life and depression.

Alcohol is the top drug problem in the U.S. More than half of American adults report that they have relatives with drinking problems. Find a family doctor if you feel like you, or a loved one, are in danger of becoming addicted or are addicted to alcohol. The instinct to go to specialists and have particular faith in specialization is a special product of a modern era when fields are continuously being divided and subdivided to increase authority and expertise on particular subjects. But family practice doctors are well trained in general medicine and often have special proficiency in sub fields, such as drug detox, or are associated with affiliate alcohol detox centers. They are able to use the special relationship between a primary physician and their patient to conduct important follow up work and check ups.They can help with associated medical risks and conditions that come along with addiction, and it can be very comforting to have a familiar face along for the journey towards recovery.