Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance Abuse Signs and Symptoms

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a big problem. A surprising number of people use narcotics for recreation . While heroin is the most popular illicit narcotic drug, there are a number of legal narcotic drugs that people experiment with. Here are some signs and symptoms of narcotic drug abuse:
Doctor Shopping
When someone becomes addicted to a prescription narcotic drug, he or she often starts “doctor shopping” in order to increase his or her supply of the drug. The term “doctor shopping” refers to looking for doctors that are willing to prescribe more of a given drug. Doctor shopping is a sign that something is seriously wrong. It is not normal behavior and almost always indicates that some kind of drug addiction is involved.

A lot of narcotics abusers engage in doctor shopping. When they discover that their primary doctor is no longer willing to prescribe as much of their drugs as they want, they resort to looking for doctors willing to prescribe them what they want. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous doctors out there that take advantage of this behavior. Many are not trained and have not had any type of substance abuse counseling education.

sad woman
Everyone suffers with substance abuse.

Craving the Narcotic
Often the first sign that someone is starting to abuse their prescribed narcotic medication is that he or she starts to crave it. Craving indicates that the person prescribed narcotics needs to talk to his or her doctor immediately in order to change his or her medication.
Almost always, a different (non-addictive) drug can be substituted in place of the currently prescribed drug. If this is not enough to deal with the problem, some kind of professional counseling may be needed.
Feeling a Need to Take the Narcotic to Feel Normal
Narcotics are powerful drugs that do play a useful role in pain management. Problems develop when people prescribed narcotics inadvertently become addicted to them. One of the earliest signs of this is feeling a strong need to take the narcotic in order to feel normal.
As dependence on the narcotic develops, addicts feel the need to take the narcotic drug more and more frequently. At first, escalating the dose brings relief. Then, inevitably, after a period of time addicts feel like they need to escalate the dose again. This leads to a never-ending cycle of increasing the dose, feeling comfortable with the new increased dose, and then feeling the need to increase the dose yet again.
Persistent Euphoria
Narcotics abusers often feel unusually euphoric. They may appear to be exceptionally elated (or “high”) much of the time. Ultimately, the persistent euphoria a lot of narcotics users experience greatly interferes with their ability to function well in everyday life. They find that they can no longer hold down a job, and they are incapable of functioning well in society. Of course, some narcotics abusers are able to hide their euphoria and more or less blend into society. But these abusers are the exception, not the rule.
Shallow Respiration
Ultimately, narcotics abuse often leads to respiratory problems because narcotics sedate the muscles involved in breathing. A narcotics overdose often leads to death through this mechanism. Persistently shallow respiration is a very worrisome symptom of narcotics abuse. Narcotics abusers that develop it are often quite close to dying as a result of their drug abuse habit.
Constipation
The overuse of narcotics tends to mess with normal elimination. Narcotics abusers typically become constipated as a result. The degree of constipation is usually tied to the degree of narcotics abuse. The more the narcotics abuser abuses narcotics, the more constipated he or she becomes.
Slurred Speech
Narcotics abusers sometimes exhibit slurred speech, which may cause people to assume they are drunk. Slurred speech frequently occurs in narcotics abusers because heavy narcotics use tends to interfere with normal thinking and the ability to communicate clearly.
Small Pupils
While a lot of drugs tend to dilate pupils when they are abused, narcotics are unusual in that they contract pupils. This sometimes gives narcotics abusers the appearance of having “beady” eyes. (Of course, lots of other things besides narcotics abuse can temporarily diminish pupil size.)
Narcotics abuse is a big problem in many industrialized countries. Abusers often start abusing narcotics after accidentally becoming addicted to narcotics prescription medication. Doctors who prescribe narcotics need to be especially careful to look for signs and symptoms of narcotic drug abuse in the patients they have prescribed narcotics.
If you want to learn how to stop substance abuse or if you are interested in becoming a certified substance abuse counselor then you might want to visit our webpage.

Teen Drug Abuse and What you can do!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Counseling and Detecting Teen Drug Abuse

Substance Abuse Counseling and its counselors can detect teen drug abuse through various signs.  In the article below are listed eight tips to see if your teen is possibly abusing drugs.

Sair Harrar of Philly.com writes about ways parents can detect or be better prepared to prevent their teens from falling into substance abuse.  In her article, “Teen Prescription Drug Abuse: 8 Tips for Parents” she outlines suggestions from a family who dealt with their teen and his drug abuse.

“Previous posts told the story of Tim Rader, a high school football star from Ashland, Pa., who became addicted to prescription pain pills while undergoing cancer treatment at age 17. He is now in recovery after a 10-year battle with addiction. Yesterday his parents, Lou and Patty Rader, talked about their own struggle as their son sunk into addiction.”

To read the entire article, please click here

If you are interested in substance abuse counseling, please click here

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Substance Abuse Counseling Program – When Parents Invite Substance Abuse?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse and Early Drinking Trends

Substance Abuse can start from the early beginnings especially when parents unknowingly allow their children to drink under their supervision.  Instead of removing the temptation to drink later, studies show it enhances the temptation.  The European model of younger drinking ages just does not fit with America’s culture.

Meredith Bennett-Smith of the Huffington Post writes on this subject in her article, “Parents (Mistakenly) Believe Lettings Kids Drink Alcohol Early Discourages Later Use, Study Says” about the growing problem of early age drinking that is connected with parents who drink with their children.

“A surprising number of parents believe that early exposure to alcohol will discourage children from drinking in adolescence and help prevent alcohol abuse later on, according to a new study from the RTI International and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”

To read the entire article, please click here

This alarming trend is another thing Substance Abuse Counselors must deal with when counseling parents and teens about the addictive nature of drinking.
If you are interested in substance abuse counseling program, please click here 

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Doctors need to Help! Substance Abuse Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Doctors Need to Treat Substance Abuse Better

Substance abuse continues to plague our society and where it can be met on a regular basis is at the doctor’s office.  Unfortunately, many doctors are not well equipped to deal with the issues of substance abuse.  Maybe they should look into receiving an certification in substance abuse counseling?

Sandra Boorman of the “Washington Post” writes in her article, “Few Doctors Know How To Treat Addiction” that certain changes could be on the horizon to better train doctors.

“They are seen every day in doctors’ offices, outpatient clinics and hospital emergency rooms: men in their 50s with bleeding ulcers; young adults pulled from car crashes; middle-aged women fighting a losing battle against chronic pain.”

To read the full article, please click here

With better trained doctors in this area, perhaps the war against substance abuse can be met early.   By working together doctors and counselors can help turn the tide in the war against substance abuse.   Also they will be not only saving lives but helping put families back together as well.

If you are interested in Substance Abuse Counseling, please review our program and click here.
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Substance Abuse Continues to Plague America

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Is Still High Among Americans

Substance Abuse remains to be an issue in America as high rates of addiction continue to plague our nation.   It is a problem that needs to be addressed with compassion and proper training.   Many addicts use drugs and alcohol as a way to not deal with issues they are facing.   The physical addiction then makes sure they are sunk into substance abuse.

LJ Anderson writes in his article, “The Changing Face of American Addictions” about the continued problem of addiction.

“A study released by The Partnership at Drugfree.org in March showed that 10 percent of American adults, ages 18 and over, consider themselves in recovery from drug or alcohol abuse. The organization’s president, Steve Pasierb, described the findings as a reminder that “addiction is a treatable disease and recovery can be a reality.”

The article from Mercurynews.com can be fully read by clicking here.

There are people in the world that believe they can stand up and make a difference.   These people are substance abuse counselors.   They are trained in ways to help addicts break their addiction and get back to normal productive lives.   If you would like to learn more about substance abuse counseling, please click here.

Substance Abuse Counseling and Long Term Addiction

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
Cocaine in a small pile
Substance Abuse Counseling can help those caught get away from their crippling addictions.

Drug abuse is a big problem for many individuals, not just those who happen to have particularly addictive personalities that are susceptible to a number of different substances. Substance abuse counseling is a great way out of the trap that many drug users fall into. Without a shoulder to turn to they can potentially fall deeper and deeper into the slump that they’re in and might find it particularly difficult to recover from it in the long run. With a support structure behind them, breaking free from the horrors of drug addiction can be a huge blessing, and often one that they have been chasing for many years, looking for just the right solution to finally be able to pull everything together once and for all. The right amount of determination and commitment, you can come away a lot better off than you were in the past, which is commendable progress.

Substance Abuse Counseling Program: Bath Salts

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A packet of the illegal drug bath salts
Substance Abuse Counselors should be able to identify this drug.

Substance Abuse Counseling Program: What are Bath Salts?

The article, “‘Bath Salts’ Act In The Brain Like Cocaine”, source: Medical News Today states

“The use of the synthetic stimulants collectively known as “bath salts” have gained popularity among recreational drug users over the last five years, largely because they were readily available and unrestricted via the Internet and at convenience stores, and were virtually unregulated.”

For the full article please go here.

A vial of bath salts
A small bottle of bath salts.

Because this drug can be purchases some what legally on the streets it is important that all substance abuse counselors know what it can do.   Bath salts are a dangerous drug and we need to prepare ourselves for its fallout.
If you are interested in taking a substance abuse counseling program, then perhaps you would like to visit our website.

Substance Abuse Counselor Strategies

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance abuse counselor strategies are the answer to a challenging problem to treat. Most substance abusers derive a lot of pleasure from their substance abusing behaviors. In order to effectively overcome their additions, they need to make a lot of important psychological changes. The main role of a substance abuse counselor is to facilitate these changes.

A Substance Abuse Counselor Should Empathize with the Client’s Situation

A counselor working with a young man
A substance abuse counselor should care about their clients’ well being.

The most important strategy a substance abuse counselor can employ is empathizing with clients. Empathizing with clients does not mean excusing their behavior and helping them to avoid the negative consequences of their drug abuse. Empathizing with clients involves identifying with the emotional and social backdrop of their drug abuse and letting them know that they are not alone.
Social support is a major factor in successful substance abuse treatment. While it is ideal if the client obtains social support from a wide variety of sources, support from their substance abuse counselor is definitely helpful. Clients that feel unsupported by their counselors are much more likely to relapse or completely discontinue treatment.
Emphasize the Client’s Personal Responsibility for Change

The clients that recover from substance abuse the most effectively, are, generally speaking, those that take the most personal responsibility for their predicament. Clients that refuse to accept any responsibility for their actions generally have a very poor prognosis. Successful counselors do their best to guide clients to take more responsibility for their actions.
This does not mean, however, that aggressive strategies are employed to force the client to acknowledge responsibility for their actions. Clients tend to react in a counter-productive fashion to accusations and aggressive hints that they are failing to accomplish important goals. Present research supports the idea that gentle guidance is preferable to more aggressive counseling.
Emphasizing the client’s personal responsibility for change can be effected in a number of subtle, beneficial ways. One of the best strategies for accomplishing this is analyzing the client’s actions in terms of the client’s motives, beliefs, and other psychological aspects instead of in terms of external forces. The more clients adopt what is known as an “internal locus of control,” the more rapidly they will succeed with their prescribed treatment regimen.
Negotiate Treatment Goals

A young lady in therapy
We should learn to set realistic treatment goals.

Not all clients have the same treatment goals at the start of treatment. Counselors with a “hard-hitting” approach that tend to disregard clients’ personal treatment goals are much less likely to be successful with effecting lasting change than counselors that seriously take into account their clients’ personal treatment goals. Of course, most counselors want all their clients to completely break the destructive cycle of substance abuse they are caught up in.
Gradually helping the client to adjust their treatment goals to more closely match those of the counselor is a good idea. Influencing changes in the clients’ personal treatment goals is not easy, but it can be done if the counselor has sufficient patience and empathy for the client. For the first couple of visits, the counselor should focus more on keeping the client interested in treatment than emphasizing specific treatment goals. Retention is a big problem in an outpatient setting. Consequently, retaining clients is of key importance.
Avoid Frustration and Anger
Clients are remarkably perceptive when it comes to picking up on feelings of frustration or anger. Counselors that want to make a lot of progress with their clients need to avoid the temptation to display frustration or anger when their clients fail to fully comply with prescribed behaviors. Relapses are common in substance abuse treatment, and it is the role of counselors to help minimize the occurrence of relapses without showing undue anger towards their clients.
Clients generally react badly to displays of anger for a variety of reasons. Most clients become defensive in the face of anger. It is not uncommon for them to rationalize their actions as appropriate when they receive angry criticism. This rationalization process is almost always counterproductive. The more clients engage in it, the less likely they are to successfully complete treatment.
Avoiding frustration and anger can be difficult for substance abuse therapists, because substance abuse therapy does not always have a stellar success rate. Substance abuse is a very difficult-to-change behavior. While it is true that future advances in anti-addiction drugs may make substance abuse therapy more successful, right now there are few helpful anti-addition drugs, and they play an insignificant role in most substance abuse therapy programs.

A lady pushing pills away
With substance abuse counseling your clients will learn to push drugs away!

If you are interested in earn your substance abuse counseling certification then you might want to visit our webpage.

The Importance Of Substance Abuse Programs In Schools

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Despite the fact that substance abuse is a serious threat to our youth nowadays, more and more teenagers start to consume dangerous substances, unaware of their implications in the long run. In this article I will present you the importance of substance abuse prevention in schools today, as well as their main benefits.

Drug Prevention Programs In High Schools

A sign that says Drug-Free School Zone
Substance Abuse programs for a drug free school system do work!

It is better to prevent than to treat, and that is a fact. Fortunately, over the past decade, more and more schools across the territory of the USA started programs that aim to prevent substance abuse. It is the responsibility of school administrators to determine the percentage of teenagers that consume illegal substances and to take the necessary measures to stop them from doing so and prevent others from starting to use illegal substances. The best way to do so is by using anonymous surveys.
It is essential to raise awareness among teenagers with regards to the dangerous effects of drugs, as well as to inform them about all the legal aspects. Very few teenagers are actually aware of the risks associated with the use of illegal substances, and this is one of the main factors that contribute to the increasing number of teenagers that consume dangerous substances.
Nonetheless, it must be mentioned that the term “substance abuse” does not only refer to drugs and illegal substances, but to alcohol and tobacco as well. Even though the latter is less dangerous, students must be warned about the dangerous health risks they expose themselves at each time they consume such substances.
Regarding drug prevention programs in high schools, school administrators usually focus on education. Education is undoubtedly the most efficient “weapon” when it comes to preventing substance abuse. Teachers inform their students about how can drugs and alcohol interfere with their day-to-day activities and the tremendous impact they have on one’s health. Fortunately, there are various prevention principles that apply in junior high school which turn out to be highly effective.
Besides the fact that school administrators try to raise awareness among teenagers, they also inform both teachers and students about the consequences of drug abuse. Every high school has its own policy, but all high schools are obliged to notify the police if any illegal substances are discovered. The first substance abuse programs were initiated more than half a century ago, and they have been significantly improved throughout time.
Some of the most important and efficient substance abuse programs in high schools are “Just Say No!”, “Keepin’ it REAL” (which is among the top 3 most efficient programs) or D.A.R.E. (The Drug Abuse Resistance Education). Putting it in a nutshell, these programs teach students how to recognize the risks of substance abuse, how to refuse substance-related offers and how to build strong decision-making skills.

A young woman receiving drug counseling
Substance abuse counseling helps people overcome addictions.

ith regards to the substance abuse programs in schools today, the most known programs include Narconon International (with more than 40 years of experience in the prevention of substance abuse) or SADD (acronym for Students Against Destructive Decisions). These programs not only focus on preventing substance abuse, but also on raising awareness regarding the dangers of drinking and driving. They promote responsible, healthy lifestyles.
The purpose of these substance abuse programs in high school is to help students make good decisions and avoid self-destruction, since substance abuse is extremely harmful in the long run. The programs also aim to prevent violence by providing positive role models. These prevention programs turned out to be highly effective, since the number of students that abuse substances has significantly decrease. Nonetheless, the results vary from one high school to another, due to the fact that every high school has its own substance abuse policy.
D.A.R.E., One Of The Main Substance Abuse Prevention Programs
At the moment, D.A.R.E. is undoubtedly one of the most known programs in the United States of America. As a matter of fact, recent studies have revealed the fact that D.A.R.E. is implemented in approximately three out of four high schools. The D.A.R.E. program was founded almost 30 years ago, back in 1983, and since then it has been teaching children how to fight substance abuse. “Keepin’ it REAL”, or simply “KiR”, is the most effective evidence-based prevention program initiated by D.A.R.E. USA. Besides the fact that it is very efficient, this program turned out to be cost-effective as well.

SADD, A Program Against Risky Behavior

Basically, SADD aims to teach students the dangers of drinking and driving and how can substance abuse affect their lives. The program provides students efficient prevention tools that allow them to take the best decisions and avoid risky activities that can be life-threatening. SADD also supports funding for various mental health services and for anti-violence programs in high schools.

A sign that says drug free zone
Make your life a drug free zone.

Narconon

As stated above, Narconon is another highly important program that aims to prevent substance abuse in high schools. The program provides useful information regarding the side effects and social implications of drug consumption, and it teaches students how to resist external influences, whether they come from so-called friends or other people. The program focuses mainly on group discussions.

The Benefits Of Substance Abuse Programs

It is essential to teach students the dangers of substance abuse when they are young, to provide them quality principles for a healthy and happy life. This way, they are more likely to avoid smoking or drinking when they grow up. In other words, substance abuse education in junior high school is vital.
Prevention programs have numerous benefits. They not only warn students about the dangerous effects of substance abuse, but they also teach them how to develop essential decision-making skills that will help them fight drugs later in life. It must be mentioned, though, that the techniques and methods used in these prevention programs are different compared to the ones used several decades ago: they put emphasis on social skills and they help children become aware of the main misbeliefs regarding substance abuse.
To sum up, these are the basics of substance abuse prevention programs in high schools. They are highly effective and they come to support the substance abuse policy of every high school. Fortunately, there are many programs that focus on prevention nowadays, and the number of students that consume tobacco, alcohol and illegal substances are expected to drop even more in the following years.
If you want to earn your substance abuse counseling certificate then you might want to visit our website.

Substance Abuse Program

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
A picture of a needle with a man in the back obviously suffering.
A good substance abuse program can end the cycle of addiction.

One of the most destabilizing problems that can occur in the life of an individual or even within a family is the problem of substance abuse. Substance abuse refers to situations where people misuse mind altering substances such as drugs or alcohol usually in an attempt to deal with some underlying problem. There are a wide range of reasons why people decide to abuse substances and a wide range of substances which can be abused. Helping someone with a substance abuse problem is far from easy and for that reason it is vital to seek the help of a substance abuse program service of some type. Substance abuse counselors are experienced with treating a variety of different abuse problems. They can help people get to the root of why they are choosing to abuse substances and help them find alternative strategies of coping and managing their condition. It is vital to seek help as soon as possible before a substance abuse problem worsens.
If you are interested in becoming a substance abuse counselor or want to learn more about how to help substance abusers then you might want to look into our online substance abuse counseling courses.   They are designed to be self-paced and help you receive the training needed to help those in need.    Check out our website for full information.