12 Core Functions: Orientation to Substance Abuse Treatment

12 Core Functions: Orientation to Substance Abuse Treatment

The latest continuation of our series exploring the 12 Core Functions of Substance Abuse Counselors brings us to Orientation. This seemingly simple process is, in fact, full of opportunities to make your clients feel at ease and safe. Clients who feel like they enter a judgement free safe zone during treatment are much more likely…

What Is Codeine?

What Is Codeine?

If you’re on the mend from an invasive surgery or coping with moderate to severe pain, you might find your doctor writing an prescription for codeine. Classified as a narcotic, Codeine is an opioid pain medication. According to Dictionary.com, it is characterized as “a white, crystalline, slightly bitter alkaloid…chiefly [used] as an analgesic or sedative…

12 Core Functions: Understanding Intake

12 Core Functions: Understanding Intake

The second of the twelve core functions of substance use treatment is intake. At first glance, it’s easy to think it’s just a fancier worded reiteration of the first core function (screening), but understanding the intake process and how it differs from all other processes is important. In fact, the intake procedures are some of…

12 Core Functions: What Is Screening?

12 Core Functions: What Is Screening?

The 12 core functions of alcohol and drug abuse counseling create the blueprint all substance use professionals follow. It’s a proven guide because this step-by-step process has shown the best results in starting and managing a successful client + counselor relationship. The first of the 12 core functions is screening, and we’re going to dig…