What to Look for in a Substance Abuse Counselor

Educate individuals in the community whenever possible about recovery to correct misconceptions and build the knowledge that can break down stereotypes. To be eligible, housing agencies review an individual’s or family’s annual gross income; whether they qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and whether they are a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status. Eviction https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/teenage-alcoholism-dangers-of-underage-drinking/ prevention programs that are designed to prevent displacement from rental units.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) have outlined effective treatments for SUDs during pregnancy, including the need for early universal screening.
• Regular dental care, such as visiting the dentist every 6 months, is important to supporting oral health.
• If you have questions about your coverage, call the number on your insurance card to find out more information about your specific plan.

It can be challenging to make an accurate diagnosis because some symptoms are the same for both disorders, so the provider should use comprehensive assessment tools to reduce the chance of a missed diagnosis and provide the right treatment. SAMHSA’s mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes. Substance abuse counselors help people experiencing substance use and drug addiction problems.

Substance Abuse Counseling Techniques

People with a SUD may also have other mental health disorders, and people with mental health disorders may also struggle with substance use. These other mental health disorders can include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others. Substance use disorder (SUD) is a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications. Symptoms can be moderate to severe, with addiction being the most severe form of SUD. For some mental health, drug, or alcohol disorders, there are medications that can help improve your symptoms.

Digital Supports

The defining feature of couples and family treatments is that they treat drug-using individuals in the context of family and social systems in which substance use may develop or be maintained. The engagement of the individual’s social networks in treatment can be a powerful predictor of change, and thus the inclusion of family members in treatment may be helpful in reducing attrition (particularly among adolescents) and addressing multiple problem areas (78, 79). Meta-analyses have strongly supported the efficacy of these approaches for both adult (80) and adolescent substance users (81-83). It is important to note that family-based approaches are quite diverse, and it is unlikely that all are equally effective. Moreover, many family-based approaches combine a variety of techniques, including family and individual therapies, skills training, and communication training (84).

• Substance abuse counselors help people experiencing substance use and drug addiction problems.
• People who choose a career in addiction counseling can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and rehabilitation centers to halfway houses, prisons and private practices.
• In most states and circumstances, substance abuse counselors must be licensed or certified by the state in which they intend to work.
• Some clients will require more support than others in connecting with healthcare providers.

Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE)

Follow-up care can include periodic appointments with your counselor, continuing in a self-help program or attending a regular group session. Many, though not all, self-help support groups use the 12-step model first developed by Alcoholics Anonymous. Self-help support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous, help people who are addicted to drugs. Find treatment programs in your state that treat addiction and dependence on opioids. Secular mutual-help meetings embrace a clear separation from any religious or spiritual framework; however, these programs do not discourage engagement in religious or spiritual activities. They are largely based on self-awareness and modification of thoughts, substance abuse counseling actions, and behaviors.