High School Dropouts More Likely to Have Drug and Alcohol Abuse Problems
Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with chemical dependency issues. At the core of their philosophy is the belief that addiction is a treatable …
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Woman Arrested 396 Times Sentenced To Mental Health And Substance Abuse …
Chiampas sentenced Miles to time served for all three, but she said she only did so because Miles said she'd submit to a mental health evaluation and follow-up treatment, as well as treatment for alcohol abuse, at the Lincoln prison. A representative …
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Question by Danyel: What type of education would I need to become an RN at a substance abuse detox facility?
I am currently going to school for pre-health with a nursing concentration, until I have the requirements to apply for nursing. I would like to be able to work as an RN in a substance abuse facility. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advise as to how to go about doing this? I do not know if I will need to specialize in a certain area in order to do so or not? If anyone could help me out in regards to what to do education wise I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by MeMeMe
Hi,

First off, good for you for wanting to work in addiction treatment! I’m an addictions counselor and have been working in mental health (mostly suicide prevention) for 7 years and we certainly need more qualified RNs in the field. So I think you will have an easy time finding work once you’re finished with school.

As for your question… To become an RN, you need to go to nursing school. Although I’m sure you already know this. As for specializing in addiction treatment, I don’t believe there are any additional requirements, but it would be good if you have experience working with addicts or at least a greater knowledge of treating clients with addiction. So I would suggest trying to get an internship of some sort with a treatment center in your area. They may not let you do much while you’re in school, but you will be able to put it on your resume. You can learn a lot from observing how things work in treatment. The other suggestion I have would be to take some extra classes that focus on substance abuse. Drug addicts and alcoholics face a variety of special issues separate from the “normal” population you would be working with in a hospital. Most community colleges and some universities now offer programs where you can learn more about these issues. I don’t know where you live, but you may want to start looking for college programs titled “Addictions Counseling” or “Addictions Studies.” Classes you may want to take would be any type of pharmacology, a bloodborne pathogens/infectious disease class, and even alternative treatments to addiction classes. It could also help to take a few classes for addictions counselors like group therapy, individual therapy, or something similar. These will definitely help you in the future in terms of communicating with your clients.

The most important thing I would think an RN working in addiction should have to be educated about is prescription drugs of abuse. Normally when I do an intake on a client coming into treatment, they have been medically prescribed multiple addictive drugs that only contribute to and exacerbate their disease (addiction). Usually these include opiate painkillers, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives and tranquilizers. I had a client once who was on NINE different benzos which she had been on for years, all prescribed by doctors for things like insomnia, anxiety, and even hypothyroidism. This is so egregious and disgusting to me! They were killing her. She obviously had to be medically detoxed for risk of seizures and death from her meds. And needless to say, after being evaluated by our MD, she didn’t NEED any of the pills.

Anyway, I’m rambling. Just excited to see someone wanting to help in the field of addiction treatment. It is rare these days, it seems. But what a satisfying and rewarding job. Good luck to you!!!

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Question by Sean S: How Can a Woman with a Low Income Get Mental Health Care??
My wife suffers from life-long clinical depression. She was sexually abused as a child, then paraded around in Miss Teen USA pageants against her will. She has had teachers, parents and even a mental health counselor come on to her. She needs professional help to get over the depression and low self-esteem.

Is there somewhere she can go for a few weeks for an intensive sort of “rehab” as she calls it for depression for women? She wants a place that is safe from guys coming on to her. She just can’t take that again while she is trying to get better.

We are currently in NJ and we are residents of NH. I hate to admit it but we are poor. I was recently laid off and she has part time work. I am not back to work yet. We have no savings and no health insurance. I don’t know where to turn, but I need to help my wife. She is the most AMAZING person, and I’d do anything for her. I need to help her find a way to get help with this. Can anyone suggest anything? Thank you!
Wife does not drink, take drugs, etc… she is highly intelligent as was using the word “rehab” as an analogy to illustrate the type of facility. Sorry for any confusion with that terminology.

Also, write to Oprah?? Maybe I should just become a major league baseball player later this afternoon as well. Just about as good of a shot. Please… I need intelligent responses. We have suffered a financial setback at the worst time possible, but we’re not morons. Come on.

Best answer:

Answer by Joseph C
Send her to this site: http://www.fhu.com

It will help her more than the mental health people (some of whom are mentally ill themselves) and there’s a lot of low cost material available and some for free.

What do you think? Answer below!

Destination Hope Women's Program Discusses the Importance of Dual …
Destination Hope: The Women's Program, a nationally recognized gender specific substance abuse treatment and alcohol rehab for women facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month by highlighting the impact of dual …
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Minnesota author finds that many addiction programs are behind the times
"People who go to 12-step programs tend to have higher abstinence rates than those who don't," Fletcher says. "But the dropout rate is very high. Six out of 10 alcohol-dependent people who are referred to AA after treatment will drop out in less than a …
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Comptroller: State funds misused at Yorktown substance abuse center
State auditors found misuse of $ 223,000 in taxpayer funds at area substance abuse centers run by Phoenix House, including an administrative assistant at the Yorktown site accused of taking thousands of dollars and using it to buy alcohol, cigarettes …
Read more on The Journal News | LoHud.com

Passages Malibu Celebrates National Prevention Week and Promotes …
National Prevention Week is dedicated to increasing public awareness about substance abuse and other mental health issues. Each year, individuals, healthcare providers, treatment centers, and community organizations work together to encourage …
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Clearview Treatment Programs Clinical Director to Present on DBT and …
Not all treatments are effective when it comes to treating a dual diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and addiction. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one therapy that is proving to be successful for the treatment of both BPD and …
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Things to do in Oregon City
Osterman Theatre, Niemeyer Center, Clackamas Community College, 19600 S. Molalla Ave., Oregon City; $ 10, $ 8 students and ages 62 and older; www.theatreccc.org or 503-594-3153. David Rinearson001.jpg … Mental health, treatment, resources and other …
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