Author: Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Counseling Article Modern Strides Being Made in Addiction and Mental Health

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Modern Strides Being Made in Addiction and Mental Health

Modern strides for aiding addiction recovery and helping in overcoming mental health disorders are creating opportunities for individuals to incorporate new perspectives, healing, and new tools and techniques in the quest for the best possible health outcomes. With new ways of looking at and treating addiction, will come less stigma attached with the disease.

The Evolution of a Theory

No longer seen as a sign of weak character or moral shortcoming, there have been great advancements made in helping individuals to recover from addiction and to overcome mental health disorders. Modern theory over the last fifty years now views addiction as a treatable disease and there are a number of treatment plans available to help the individual struggling with addiction or mental health issues.

At the Beginning

Most drug and alcohol recovery programs begin with the process of detoxing. Once the substance that has been abused is removed and the addict is allowed to work on recovery with a clear mind and body the foundation is laid for addressing the issues that led to addiction.

Therapy

One of the tools used in recovery is therapy. It is now recognized that many addicts have undiagnosed or untreated mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, PTS, and other issues that need to be addressed. Therapy can include individual, group, immersion, cognitive, behavioral counseling, and other types of counseling.

Skills for Living

Another useful tool is to develop skills for living. This is useful for both addiction recovery and mental health issues. These skills may include anger management, priority setting, visualization, and learning appropriate self-talk and interpersonal communication skills. Many modern Addiction Treatment centers work with patients to come up with plans to work on these skills.

A United Front

Another modern stride toward working with addiction and mental health issues is recognizing the body/mind/spirit connection. Being united and holistic in looking at healing both in body and mind can be beneficial in working about the greatest change.

Food is the First Medicine

Nutrition is paramount. Many addicts are malnourished which exacerbates problems. Recognizing the connection between health and nutrition, addiction recovery centers take pride in not only providing nutritious cuisine but often try to use organic foodstuffs whenever possible.

Move

Exercise is a major component in the goal of attaining health. In numerous studies, exercise has proven a wonderful method for restoring both physical and mental health.

The Skills of Mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness practice is an ancient system that is now being studied by scientists and added to the tool chest to help individuals in every walk of life have a better quality of life. Mindfulness training is a method to calm and quiet the mind and is proving extremely useful for people seeking help in overcoming addiction and mental illness.

Supplements

Supplements, vitamins, herbs, tinctures, and teas are a method now being employed to help people live their best lives. The benefits of natural supplements are gaining acceptance with allopathic healthcare providers.

Drugs

Many people have had good outcomes with the use of medication to control mental illness. Pharmacological modalities are one more possible way to handle the challenges that come with mental illness and addiction. The individual should work closely with his/her healthcare provider to reach the right dosage as it not only varies with each person, but one person’s plan may change over time.

Connection

One of the obstacles and/or symptoms that add to the problems of addiction and mental illness is a tendency for people in that state to isolate. We now recognize this as a symptom of the disease, and one that lends itself to the dilemma of the downward spiral. One of the best ways to deal with mental illness and addiction is to develop a connection with others. Whether it is through therapy, family, friends, or a group with which one shares common interests, it is beneficial to form healthy alliances.

Animal Companions

Another avenue for healing is through interacting with animals. Their non-judgmental affection enables people to find peace and comfort. The responsibility of nurturing and enjoying the company of an animal companion is therapeutic. So much so that some addiction recovery centers are now adding an animal care component, such as equestrian therapy, as part of their healing services.

Joy

One of the best things that an individual on the road to recovery can do is to find an arena of satisfaction. Whether it’s a hobby, sport, intellectual pursuit, or cause, finding something that brings personal satisfaction is a way to maintain mental and emotional equilibrium. In addiction and mental illness, hobbies and goals are often jettisoned and restoring them is one of the roadways back to health.

In the sphere of mental health and recovery from addiction, there have been incredible modern strides made in diagnosis and treatment.

Please also review our substance abuse counseling program

Grief Counseling Program Article on Losing a Child

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

After losing a child, the continuous grief can be something becomes a daily reality.  Although eventually adaptation to the pain emerges, one still experiences the pain.  It does not go away

The article, Grief at losing a child is ‘a continuous, daily thing’, Source; Derry Journal states

“A bereaved mother is encouraging Derry parents who have lost a child to come along to a support group meeting in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny this Thursday. Anam Cara, is hosting the meeting from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. One member said the grief from losing a child is “a continuous, daily thing” but meeting up and talking about it if you want to, can help.”

To read the entire article, click here

Please also review the grief counseling program to learn more.  In the meantime please review the article below on losing a child.

Healthcare Case Management Program Article on Healthcare Upgrades

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Six Healthcare Upgrades Coming Soon to Your Clinic

Although many clinics are still behind the times, that’s all about to change. Advances in healthcare technologies and policies have forced administrators and owners across the nation to upgrade systems to meet growing demand. You can expect to soon benefit from the following healthcare upgrades in technology and clinic processes.

Electronic Health Records

Treatment and diagnosis, especially during emergencies, happen far more quickly when healthcare workers aren’t trying to sift through hard copy paper medical records to look for important patient details. With electronic health records, all health history is saved to a digital file that they can easily access, search, and share as needed.

Health Data Storage and Archiving

A wide variety of programs make it easier for healthcare personnel to access, search, and share your information. With a healthcare data storage company that provides a good program, your clinic’s staff members can use a simple keyword search tool to quickly locate important details about your health. With a health data archiving program, your clinic can securely store years of your data and won’t lose important information.

Online Health Maintenance

Online patient accounts help you to make certain that information is accurate and up-to-date, and give you access to appointment setting and reminder tools and communication options. Some clinics even offer online exams where nurses and doctors determine if patients are experiencing minor ailments or more serious problems that require on-site evaluation via video and VOIP.

Digital Signage and Touchscreens

Instead of providing important information about common conditions, new medications, and local and national healthcare news via brochures, fliers, and handouts, clinics can now provide these details and so much more while you wait via wall-based and kiosk digital signage. Touchscreens allow patients to print out details they want and check in electronically with a few finger taps or an ID barcode scanner.

Integrated Diagnosis and Treatment Systems

Changes in healthcare have also lead to more integrated systems. For example, during an outpatient procedure, a physician might utilize a new integrated treatment system to pull up your stored healthcare records to check symptoms or contact a colleague for assistance.

Physician-Focused Notation Tools

In recent years, physician note-taking tools have wasted a lot of time by forcing physicians to type too much or use long drop-down menus. New advances have resulted in a more comfortable and time-saving blend of software that converts handwritten notes to text and offers shorter drop-down options.

These are only a few of the amazing upgrades you can expect to see soon. Technology is always developing and has already changed many ways healthcare is carried out. From the diagnosis stage to recovery, medicine and technology always need to be top notch. Contact your clinic today for more information on new technologies and how to use some of the new processes and technologies.

Eileen O’Shanassy is a freelance writer and blogger based out of Flagstaff, AZ. She writes on a variety of topics and loves to research and write. She enjoys baking, biking, and kayaking. Check out her Twitter @eileenoshanassy.

 

If you would like to learn more also about AIHCP’s certifications, then please review our Healthcare case management program

Grief Counseling Certification Program Article on Loss and Christmas

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Losing a family member to cancer can be horrible.  The loss itself can be taking place during Christmas and the Holidays.  During this time, the anticipation of loss and the fear of losing a loved one can mix with the emotion of Christmas time and family

The article, “Losing a Loved One to Cancer: How to Cope with Grief During the Holidays” by Jennifer Castoro states

“The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, certainly. But for anyone who’s lost a loved one — whether within the year that past or many years ago — it can also bring a unique sadness.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification Program

Grief Counseling Certification Article About Santa and Dying Boy

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Sad Christmas article from TIME magazine.

In the meantime, remember many people feel great sadness during this time of year and not everyone experiences a merry Christmas.

The article, “Santa Claus Who Says Boy Died in His Arms Stands by Story Amid Doubts” by Melissa Chan states

“I tried to do a good deed. Now I am being made out to be a liar”

To read the entire article please click here

Please also review our Grief Counseling Certification to learn more about our program

Christian Spiritual Counseling Program Article on Miscarriage

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

The loss of a child in the womb is very painful.  Miscarriages are a pain many families face.  This article looks at burial and other aspects

The article, “I had a miscarriage. Fetal burial rules would only amplify my grief” by Lorraine Berry states,

“My son would be turning 20 this month. He was due on December 15, 1996. But in June of 1996, when I was entering the second week of my second trimester, I had a miscarriage — in medical terms, a spontaneous abortion — while preparing to deliver a paper at a prestigious women’s history conference a thousand miles from home.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review the Christian Spiritual Counseling program to learn more

Where Your Healthcare Management is Failing and How to Fix it

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Healthcare administrators often have difficult jobs, with their work environment constantly changing through new technologies and evolving practices. Fortunately, healthcare managers can make several improvements in their workplace setting as these changes take place. Here are some ideas to help healthcare professionals stay on top of changes in the industry.

Specialize for Growth
In the last decade, the number of specialty hospitals has increased. Many large cities have several diagnostic centers and outpatient surgery centers and patients have several options for where to go for treatment. Medical facilities must distinguish themselves from their competition and administrators must take into account the local demographics and the competing physicians specializations. When managers have identified their target population and their medical needs, the administrator can recruit qualified staff.

Prepare for the Future
Healthcare managers must also prepare for the future. The elderly population will need more medical care in the next few years and hospitals must meet the increased demand. In addition to keeping up with the growing demand, administrators must change the payment model. In the past, doctors were paid based on the services they provided. Now, the overall quality of care is an important factor in how payment is decided.

Patient Satisfaction
When payments are based on the overall quality of care, hospital managers have to make patient satisfaction a priority. Many administrators are conducting market research surveys. In large cities and rural areas, many hospitals are being renovated. Hospital managers want to make sure that the patient is always completely satisfied. Make changes when possible and necessary.

Technology and Patient Care
Technology is improving the current health care model and healthcare professionals are spending millions of dollars on electronic record keeping systems like EHR migrations. The technology gives doctors instant access to important information and federal requirements.

Affordable Health Services and Medicaid
In the last few years, many people have dealt with layoffs and the number of underinsured and uninsured Americans continues to increase. Currently, healthcare managers are dealing with financial challenges. Many patients cannot afford quality medical care. Healthcare managers must find the perfect balance between health care services and costs. The government has expanded Medicaid, and many nurse practitioners are opening low-cost medical offices.

Healthcare managers today must acclimate to changes that are occurring at the entry level and the managerial level. In the future, managers will need to implement measures that are above the status quo and will need to continue to focus on hygienic practices, health data archiver software, patient satisfaction, and affordable health care services.

 

Please also review our healthcare management certification for healthcare managers seeking to learn more and become certified.

 

Addiction Counseling Training Article On Rise of Addiction

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Good article from TIME about the epidemic of addiction in our country and how it is a moral epidemic and test to the country..  Addiction is rising as people fail to cope with issues properly and turn to substances.

The article, “Surgeon General Says Addiction Crisis a ‘Moral Test for America’” by Justin Worland states

“Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called addiction to drugs and alcohol “a moral test for America,” given the more than 20 million people in the country with substance abuse problems in a new report released Thursday.”

To read the entire article, please click here

If you would like to learn more about addiction counseling training then please review the program

Pet Loss Grief Counseling Program Article on Pet Loss Disenfranchised Grief

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Good article on the disenfranchised grief of pet loss.  So many people lose a pet and are often ridiculed by family and friends over the loss as insignificant.

The article, “What To Do When Friends and Family Don’t Understand Pet Loss” by Lindsay Patton states

“One of the toughest parts about having a pet is knowing the odds of outliving them are in your favor. On the upside, it gives you an opportunity to rescue and love multiple animals throughout your life. But nothing can stop the pain of losing an animal you’ve spent every day with over many years.”

To read the entire article, please click here

Please also review our pet loss grief counseling program