Question by ebizartistry: For Substance addiction counselors…please?
Many courts require as a matter of their S.O.P. that any drug/alcohol related misdeameanor be ordered to participate in their drug and alcohol program which is fee based paid to the court, or seek counseling from a private institution.

I question the true therapeutic value of court mandated substance abuse counseling, as well as its effectiveness in helping its clients with drug addiction issues. I have spoke with many people over the years who have been ordered to this program and most, if not all, have indicated that it is a great place to swap war stories and network for new connections. It does however generate a lot of revenue for the court.

How does the counseling profession feel about persons being “ordered” to participate in their services? Does it limit the availability of beds for those who desire to, and choose to get clean themselves?

Best answer:

Answer by parkermbg
there are several key factors that go into “court mandated recovery”
1. the courts (& society) would rather see you recover than go to prison.
2. prisons are over-crowded, so any seemingly viable option is worth reaching for
3. there truly is insufficient infrastructure to deal with drug related crimes
4. most courts do not do success/failure statistics on this mandated recovery, they just hope for the best! if even 5% of offenders stop abusing-then its a good thing.

as for the recovery comunity;
professionals, recovery homes, and even 12 step meetings often get annoyed with those individuals that do not take recovery seriously. some long term programs would fold if the courts stopped sending them bodies, but certainly most of these groups and professionals want to reach as many addicts as possible, so the courts scatter gun theory (throw enough crap against the wall & some of it has gotta stick) is tolerated. those who truly want to be free of drugs will find a way (hopefully).

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Substance abuse counselor convicted of murder in Torrance pedestrian's death
Los Angeles >> A substance abuse counselor who drove two miles through Torrance with a dying man on her windshield was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder, drunken driving and hit-and-run charges. Sherri Lynn Wilkins showed no response as …
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Affordable Care Act expands coverage for addiction treatment
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Paul Dilonno: On the frontlines of addiction
Editor's note: This commentary is by Paul Dilonno, the manager of substance abuse counseling at United Counseling Service in Bennington. More than a decade ago, opiate use hit the state of Vermont with a vengeance. We've witnessed heroin addiction, …
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by USAG Vicenza

Question by carcar: Choosing a college major to fulfill a career in substance abuse counseling?
I want to become a substance abuse counselor, which requires 2 years of grad school. I also want to become a certified art therapist which requires 2 years of grad school. I’m just confused as to what major/college types I should be looking into in order to pursue this career path?

Best answer:

Answer by Emily M
Social work perhaps, with an art minor?

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Question by Liza Shevchuk: Natural Remedies For Brain Damage After Drug Abuse?
My older brother has done many drugs from about 16-21. Its been a year since his last use, and he’s been having some serious problems. He has high anxiety and he’s been having frequent episodes of “weird” (as he calls it) feelings. He doesn’t label it as feeling sick. During these episodes he feels jittery, emotional (even cry’s sometimes) out of control, his heart rate goes up. This also causes him to have insomnia. Maybe they’re panic attacks, but the thing is, what triggers it? This occurs randomly on a normal day. We believe its typical withdrawal symptoms, because he abused quite a few drugs. (Marijuana, cigarettes, ecstasy, crystal meth, shrooms, hookah, cocaine, inhalants, “uppers” (as he calls them))
He has gone to see his doctor several times to get treatment, and his doctor said he has migraines.
-____-
He prescribed him anti depressants and that didn’t help my brother AT ALL.
He does this herbal drop treatment (echinacea, other oils, etc) That help him sleep.
Now we’re trying to find him herbal remedies that would help repair his brain damage from all of the abuse he has done to it.
Thank you very much.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
I’m not sure that there will be repairing of the brain damage (presuming that he has that as I’m not a medical doctor :), but researchers believe that the brain is very “plastic” and may form new nerve pathways to *help* compensate for the injured areas.

With regard to inhalant use, my friend actually has a severe Brain Injury from huffing at the age of 12, now in her 30s. The chemicals in products used for huffing are actual *poisons* that were never meant to go through the bloodstream.

Please be *very* careful with herbal supplements or “remedies” (e.g., echinacea, ginkgo biloba, chamomile) as they can result in side effects and/or drug (medication) interactions. It’s best to check with a licensed pharmacist before taking any of them. Not everything that is “natural” is safe 😉

Regarding the panic attacks, some people have generalized anxiety (to know specific event) or other types of anxiety. The antidepressants may help to lessen the intensity and/or frequency of the anxiety symptoms. Such medications tend to take about 6-8 weeks before possibly noticing results. A caveat (warning) is that some antidepressants may cause insomnia (trouble getting to and/or staying asleep). However, there are medications that one may take to help counteract the insomnia.

Even though benzo’s (e.g., ativan, valium, xanax, klonopin) may be prescribed to help with sleep, they’re not always recommended as a medication due to their physical addictiveness. (Some withdrawal symptoms from benzo’s may include seizures, psychosis/mental break from reality, or even death.) Some psychiatrists (it’s best to get medication for mental health issues from a board-certified psychiatrist as opposed to “just” a family doctor) prescribe seroquel (or other medications), which is classified as an antipsychotic but in smaller dosages may help with sleep.

You’d mentioned that he’s gone to the doctor several times, and I’m wondering if he’s gone to a neurologist which is medical dr who can help rule out disorders of the nervous system – brain, spinal cord, nerves. I’m just thinking that to help “cover all the bases” (not trying to give false hope though, know what I mean).

I’m not sure that he’d still be going through withdrawal symptoms a year after stopping the drugs, but it’s a good idea to ask a doctor about that as well.

Pertaining to the anxiety, please show him this government site which may have some local counseling agencies: http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/ and can click the second link. Then one can click “near you” on the left-hand side of the page under “find facilities” and can type one’s city and state of residence into search. Their toll-free 24/7 referral helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Just an fyi that the first link is for those looking for substance abuse counseling/treatment, and that may be an option if he’s still “using” or having cravings for substances.

A 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), may have some local support groups. The only requirement is having a desire to get sober. One may attend an “open” AA meeting if there is no drinking problem: http://www.aa.org

This site has some common mottos pertaining to those 12-step programs, including “One day at a time”, “First things first” and “People, places and things”: http://www.royy.com/toolsofrecovery.html

Al-Anon is a 12-step program for the *friends and family* of the problem drinker, but one may attend an “open” Al-Anon meeting if the loved one doesn’t have a drinking problem: http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

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Substance abuse is the repeated use of drugs such as cocaine, heroin and prescription drugs. There are many reasons that contribute to such addictions, such as ineffective parenting, poor social coping skills, association with deviant peer group and peer pressure.

There are various symptoms too, such as forgetfulness, aggressiveness, irritability and getting drunk on a regular basis that can be seen frequently in an individual. If you notice any of the symptoms, it is imperative to approach a drug rehab center otherwise these can have deadly consequences if not treated at the right time. Treating the drug or alcohol abuse at an early stage is the best way to get rid of this habit.

Essentially treatment is a behavior modification therapy that helps drugs and alcohol addicts to come out of this habit and lead a healthy and stress free life. The drug prevention programs made available by the rehab center are offered after analyzing the person’s characteristics and knowing the type of substance being consumed.

The substance abuse treatment programs are carried out by specially trained staff members who are certified or licensed as substance abuse counselors. These substance abuse counselors or specialists identify the individual’s negative behavioral traits and take necessary steps with a positive approach.

Substance abuse counseling plays a crucial role in the psychological recovery of the patient. With this counseling session, addicts are motivated to develop basic problem-solving skills, achieve a balanced lifestyle, improve relationships, find a higher meaning in life and eventually lead a productive and happy life.

There are residential programs, outpatient programs and executive rehab programs also made available to patients by specialists helping in the recovery process. Partial hospitalization and methadone clinics are other amenities provided to individual suffering from alcohol or drug abuse. To ensure long time recovery, there are residential substance abuse programs made available by drug rehab centers. Get more information.

VHS Red Ribbon Week Essay_8

Image by USAG Vicenza
Vicenza High School Adolescence Substance Abuse Counselor Rosana Zapata together with Global Credit Union Branch Manager Sharon Black present cash awards to the three winners selected for the Red Ribbon Week Essay Contest. The event took place at the VHS Cafeteria Nov. 8.
About 35 VHS students submitted essays on this year’s theme “The Best Me Is Drug Free”.

Learn more on www.usag.vicenza.army.mil or www.facebook.com/USAGVicenza.

Photo by Laura Kreider, USAG Vicenza Public Affairs Office.

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