In our previous blog, we discussed the top three co-occurring conditions of addiction: major depression, panic attacks and anxiety, and mental illnesses like schizophrenia and personality disorders. Knowing the most common dual diagnosis of addiction is important, but recognizing their symptoms is even more critical. Whether you’re a concerned friend or family member, or a…
We’ve talked about the rise of evidence-based therapy as a means of treating substance abuse and addiction. You may have heard of another type of therapy referred to as solution-focused therapy. What is it, and can it help addicts recover? The answers might surprise you. Solution-focused therapy, also referred to as solution-focused brief therapy, is a…
Addiction isn’t easy. It can be as pervasive and damaging as cancer. For substance abuse counselors, treatment doesn’t always end after court-ordered or initial counseling. In many cases, this is the first step in recovery, and client treatment is furthered through consultation both during and after treatment. The twelfth and final core value of drug…
Writing reports and keeping records is absolutely critical to client care. Without an accurate history of a client’s progress, collaboration between caregivers becomes impossible, goal-setting becomes pointless, and prescribing medicine or therapies becomes dangerous. You’ll need to demonstrate the ability to keep records that are accurate, reflective of ongoing care and prognosis, and that contain…