Drug Counselor Responsibilities

Another challenge I face is one of my own, my age, race, and gender. By the time I graduate I will be at least 22 years old and most people that become addicted get that way at a young age. The younger the child that tries the drug, the more likely they are to become addicted (Berger, (2006) p.456). As a Caucasian woman I will most likely be dealing with African American men, because they have the high numbers of inmates in prison for drug-related crimes (Roger & Merkle (2005) p. 7). My gender and race may make it hard to overcome differences and gain their trust, but I hope to break through to them enough so that they can open up to me in therapy sessions. I plan to do my best to understand them and help them as much as I can so that they can see that I am serious about helping them. Another problem many counselors with run into is that people are many times forced to choose between prison and rehab, so those in rehab may not want to be there. Again I will need to overcome their attitude and gain their trust.

When most people think of substance abuse and addiction counseling they often only think of the 12 step program or alcoholics anonymous. The truth is that an addiction counselor must have a vast knowledge in the

A drug is a substance that alters the mind, body or both. Drug use is an increasing problem among teenagers in colleges today. Most drug use begins in the preteen and teenage years, the years most crucial in the maturation process (Shiromoto 5). During these years adolescents are faced with difficult tasks of discovering their self identity, clarifying their sexual roles, assenting independence, learning to cope with authority and searching for goals that would give their lives meaning. Drugs are readily available, adolescents are curious and venerable, and there is peer pressure to experiment, and there is a temptation to escape from conflicts. The use of drugs by teenagers is the result of a combination of factors such as peer

Drug treatment centers have skilled staffs that are experts or specialists in drug treatment. These people shoulder a great deal of responsibility because their patients need to be carefully handled in the center and treated in a holistic way.

Substance abuse is a widespread problem in the United States. That is why certified addictions counselors are in high demand today. Addiction counselors can work in a variety of places, including prisons, residential treatment facilities and hospitals.

As a drug addiction counselor, it could be easy to allow the treatment of a patient become a little too personal or to be tempted to mix business with therapy, meaning getting into business with the patient, the fine line between what is right and what is wrong can easily become blurred. Boundaries create a safety net for the drug counselor, the patient and the patients’ family. Drug Counselors should always maintain a professional relationship with their patients and have the best interests of the patient in mind at all times during treatment. Staying within the boundaries, either written or spoken, not only builds trust the patient and their family has with the counselor, but it also help promotes trust with the community and others thinking

There are many ways to help or “treat”, as it is usually called, the particular patient and their required needs. During this treatment, addicted individuals along with their families have the opportunity to learn more about the effects of their addiction relating to alcohol or drugs, and will learn ways on how to live a healthier, successful, more sober life. Those who work in this particular field are committed to helping others overcome their addiction while showing compassion for said individuals and their craving. An Addiction Specialist has the ability to make about $39,000 annually after obtaining their license through the ACCBO (Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon); once earned, these professionals can look forward to the many work opportunities found in rural and metropolitan areas. Something I didn’t know about this career is that Oregon does not require an entry level Drug and Alcohol Counselor to have a college degree, unlike some states. Instead, several courses which are needed for certification will be required. This area of work never really hit a chord within me as far as wanting to pursue it, so I don’t believe I would ever seek employment or a degree for it. I do find it fascinating in regards to the type of work these professionals specialize in, but again, it has never fully interested me

Becoming an addictions counselor is not easy. There are several requirements that you must meet in order to embrace this career and provide care to others. Professionally treating clients within your scope of practice can present its challenges as well as the ultimate goal of the helping profession to do no harm. There are requirements to developing a helping professional, key legal and ethical issues in counseling, and the role of the counselor in developing and maintaining ethical boundaries in clinical relationships.

Substance abuse is an issue many people underestimate. Some are in denial of being an drug or alcohol addict. First things first, one must admit to their issue, in order for them to seek the proper treatment. Once the individual admits to their addiction. Next step is to seek help. Whether it may be from a treatment facility, family based prevention and intervention program, cultural healing, or community and school based program. Regardless of the method they choose. There may be barriers preventing the individual from getting the proper treatment, depending on the treatment plan.

One issue that has made me passionate about social work is substance abuse, an issue that has made a deep impact for communities everywhere. Not only does it affect the mental and physical health of the individual, but it also burdens the friends, family, and community as a whole. This concern is a personal interest because of my mother and grandfather’s past struggle with alcoholism, as well as because of a childhood friend who was killed by a drunk underage driver on her second offense. While my mother won her fight against her addiction during the time that she was in therapy for depression, I know the tragic effects of addiction firsthand from my grandfather’s death from the consequences of alcoholism and my friend’s death at the wheels of a drunk driver. I wish to address and understand this social issue in detail during and after graduate school.

In the last two years, strategies of tackling prescription drug abuse have started showing promise. However, does it mean that this reduction will amount to an increase in illicit drug abuse? Citing on statistics from the UK and USA, Owens explains the global relevance of the abuse issue that has since eaten into most populations in other developed countries. In particular, differences in prescription worldwide are a determiner in the extent of drug abuse in many populations. Finally, the author outlines the various methods that could be utilized in the deterring of drug abuse. He advises various administrative agencies to take the matter seriously, through use of technology and prevent dependence on drugs. AS the most current article in the selection, the text will aid in understanding current problems and future areas of research into the

Working in a Substance Abuse Clinic, my career goals are: to building rapport with my clients through individual sessions, in order to complete an Assessment, Treatment Plan, and later follow up sessions. In addition, it is important to teach them about the benefits of an opioid maintenance treatment. Next, encouraging to maintain sobriety, as well as motivate them to participate in recovery groups. In order to promoting an insertion into society, it is very important to provide information and referrals, to guide them to obtain trainings that fit with their personal skills. Moreover, inserting them into the society as productive individuals, advocating to reduce the crime, and also promoting awareness to avoid young population begins using

Another challenge of working with substance users occurs when clients arrive intoxicated for a session. This may at times be a way of testing the counsellor, and although from the outside the client may seem impaired, being intoxicated may be their more familiar, functioning state. If the client is still able to engage, it is possible and often beneficial to continue with the session, if only in a limited way, Helen says.

To combat this problem the American government has set up substance abuse centers all over the U.S to help people break their nasty habits. Not only that but more than half of Americans agree that drug abusers need treatment not jail time. Law enforcement in 40 states has taken some kind of action to assist non-violent substance abusers. The changing of drug policies is to help in treating instead of punishing drug abuse. Certain states have even begun to change laws so that certain drugs are now misdemeanors instead of felonies. Over 28 states have legalized marijuana or reduced charges against

A substance use disorder counselor needs to have lots of experience and knowledge when working with clients that tolerance and withdrawal. A counselor needs to have experience on how to deal with a substance disorder client when he/she withdrawals. It depends on the substance abuse they are consuming. For example a client that is under Opiate may have a different reaction from a client that drinks alcohol. According to addition and recovery "Withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable. The important thing to remember is that opiate withdrawal is not life threatening if you are withdrawing only from opiates and not a combination of drugs." Withdrawal's come with they following symptoms: