Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance Abuse Counseling: What are Bath Salts?

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Counseling for Bath Salts: A Psychological Time Bomb

‘Bath Salts‘ are a relatively new drug to hit the market, following in the wake of the ‘plant food’, methadrone.  Despite the name, they have no relation to the salts that you and I use for a relaxing soak; rather the name for another drug that has been manufactured specifically for the purpose of getting high. It has already spread across America, with the rate of spread increasing at an alarming rate. Sold under many names representing particular ‘strains’ the chemicals inside rarely differ to too much of a degree.

A picture of actual bath salts used in actual baths
These are real bath salts and do not have any drug properties at all.
A picture of white powder on a black background
Bath salts are actually synthetic cocaine. “Bath Salts” is just a street name.

The active chemicals, the parts that have an actual effect are pryovalerone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone and mephedrone. All of which are stimulants designed so that your heart beats faster and you have much more energy. The effects of bath salts could even be described as being LSD like in the hallucinations and visions that they invoke. While they are similar in effect to drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine or speed, there is a large distinction between them. Bath Salts do not offer the same euphoria as these drugs and typically will mean that the user will experience confusing and frightening times.
As they have hit the market and managed to circumvent the anti-drugs legislation, they are quickly becoming a very popular drug amongst young people. The fact that it is legal means that it is sold by head shops and on the internet in large quantities.  One of the few ‘advantages'(the term used loosely) of the legality of bath salts is that purveyors will have no reason to pollute the drug with cheaper components, as they will already be available cheaply. It is shipped from the east: India, China and Asia, then packaged into whichever garb it is being sold under. The packages do contain a warning about not being suitable for human consumption. But the rest of the packaging makes it obvious to any reader exactly what the product is for.
The major problem with bath salts, as with all of the new designer drugs that hit the market is that since they are so new there is next to no information on the long term effects of abuse. Even a relatively well policed drug like thalidomide managed to make it to the market and be well used before the terrible effects were realized. These legal highs are already pushing the boundaries of toxic chemicals, the potential unknown long term effects could be devastating. Whilst even knowing the difference between a normal and a fatal dose is guesswork.
What is already known about the side effects of the drugs is extremely bad news. Users have displayed symptoms of stimulant overdose and brain damage. Delusions and paranoid hallucinations can be very common. With studies showing  that up to 50% of users are likely to develop a form of schizophrenia.
There are already a great many cases where people high on bath salts have had psychotic breaks and been driven to commit quite violent and disturbing acts.
The news story that has been at the forefront of peoples’ minds lately is of the man, Randy Eugene  who ran naked through the streets until he found a homeless pensioner, who he brutally attacked and tried to eat the face of.  He actually took bites out of another man’s face. Apparently bath salts were already illegal in Miami Florida where the attack took place. But this incident and many others like it are causing a stir amongst the authorities. There are already plans in place to ban the active components of the drug.
It is clear from the sheer numbers of people being admitted to hospitals and poison control centers that this drug is already out of control. Topped off with the amount of violent and bizarre crimes being committed  by the users. There are many tales of people becoming scared of the paranoid hallucinations that are afflicting them and trying to escape. In most cases this means putting other people at serious risk. This means for most cases that the users who are already delusional and a huge risk to their own and public safety are then extremely likely to direct their anger towards the very people who are trying to diffuse the situation.
What is clear is that anyone using such a drug is putting their physical and mental health under a massive strain. No good can come of this and if we do not act to curb the drug soon as schizophrenia and madness could reach epidemic proportion.

A zombie girl reaching out of a bath tub
In conclusion: Bath Salts have nothing to do with baths or zombies.

Are you interested in becoming an Abuse Counselor? If so please check out the link provided.

Counseling to Combat Substance Abuse

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Combating Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is the abuse of illicit drugs and other legal substances, like alcohol, in excess. It is a serious disease that affects millions of people each year. Research suggests that at least 25% of deaths are caused both directly and indirectly to substance abuse. There are many ways to combat it including rehab, counseling, and medication. Most treatments are not used alone, but are used in conjunction. One such treatment is substance abuse counseling. This treatment consists of therapy sessions with a licensed practitioner to attempt to uncover the cause of the abuse and avoid future abuse. The counseling focuses on behavior modification and making good life choices. The sessions can be held one on one or in a group setting. Many counseling services use both approaches, since one therapy may not necessarily fit one person. One can find such therapies by referral from a healthcare practitioner, social worker, or rehab facility.   Learn to Combat substance abuse with proper information.

Todd Litter

Battling Substance Abuse Addictions? Seek Abuse Help.

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Facing Substance Abuse

The world is a cold, dark, lonely place for people who are battling substance abuse addictions. In many cases, they have nowhere to go and no one they can turn to, so they comfort themselves with drugs and alcohol. You know that this is no way to live. Maybe you were even there once, yourself. Who could possibly be better at substance abuse counseling than someone who knows exactly what each cold, lonely day feels like? If this describes you well, or you have the intense desire to help people with substance abuse problems, consider becoming a certified substance abuse counselor. On top of the credentials necessary to get into the AIHCP program, all you need is passion, determination, the desire to make a difference in the world, and $200.00. This is a small price to pay for the rewarding work you will be granted in the future as a result of your certification.

Todd Litter

Marijuana, Not a Safe Drug Any Longer

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Preface:
Marijuana is the common name for Cannabis Sativa, the Indian Hemp plant (the terms ‘cannabis’ and ‘marijuana’ are used interchangeably). The principle “psychoactive” chemical in marijuana is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Actually, marijuana is now known to contain about 12 cannabinols (direct chemical relatives of THC) as well as over 420 other chemicals. Virtually all of the chemicals found in marijuana seem to have at least some physiological or psychoactive effects. So, is marijuana dangerous? We will discuss this question. Due in fact, the marijuana sold today is far stronger than it was two or three decades ago, and far more dangerous.A picture of marijuana with 5 leaves growing from the stem.

Marijuana leaf.

Is Marijuana Dangerous?

A man smoking a joint
Is marijuana smoking bad for your lungs?

Yes. If you consuming marijuana, it can harm you. Many people don’t know this, but marijuana smoke contains more tar and more of some cancer-causing chemicals than tobacco smoke. Here are some other ways that marijuana use can harm you:
– MENTAL ILLNESS:
Mental effects caused by marijuana can include depression, flashbacks, aggressive feelings, anxiety leading to panic, paranoia, confusion, delusions (especially of persecution), hallucinations resulting from toxic psychosis, psychotic disorder (insanity), delirium, and depersonalization. A study by researchers at indicated a strong link between heavy marijuana smoking and depression. The study followed 2,000 youths aged 14-21 for seven years. The effects of habitual use were particularly marked in young women: those who used daily ran seven times the risk of suffering depression and anxiety.
– MEMORY and LEARNING PROBLEMS:
Young people who use marijuana may experience short-term memory loss lasting up to six weeks. Pet brain scans of chronic users show marijuana may continue to impact the brain three or more days after use, particularly affecting motor coordination, learning and memory. In America, a group of teenage marijuana users tested for short-term memory performed poorly compared to a control group matched in age, education level, and IQ. The memory loss persisted after six weeks drug-free (supervised).
– COORDINATION / ACCIDENTS:
Because it impairs coordination, marijuana is a factor in many accidents, according to studies. A 1991 study of ten pilots in a flight simulator showed they made significant errors in landing the plane up to 24 hours after smoking just one low-potency marijuana cigarette. Numerous studies over the years have linked marijuana with road accidents. Particularly worrying is that marijuana impairs drivers’ abilities long after they feel its intoxicating effects have worn off.
– BRAIN AGEING:
Marijuana is the only drug of abuse for which there is solid evidence linking it with ageing in the part of the brain responsible for short-term memory (the hippocampus). The Professor of Pharmacology at Oxford University, England, found brain atrophy in young people who were heavy marijuana users to be equal that of 70-90 year olds. Recent studies of rats also suggest THC may hasten ageing of the brain.
– APATHY:
Chronic users of cannabis may experience what is often referred to as ‘amotivational syndrome’ – that is, apathy and loss of motivation. The user may display little interest in school, sport and other activities that were previously enjoyed. Care taken with personal appearance and/ or hygiene may also lapse significantly.
– ADDICTION:
Contrary to claims that marijuana is not addictive, research is increasingly proving that marijuana is a drug that causes physical, as well as psychological, dependence. The 1997 NDARC study of long-term marijuana users revealed more than 90% were dependent on the drug, with 40% being severely dependent. Other studies support these findings.
– REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
Marijuana use has been associated with decreased testosterone production and low sperm counts in men. There is also some evidence that sperm produced by users is abnormally shaped and may have biochemical or structural defects.
– HARM CAUSED TO BABIES/ CHILDREN:
For a woman to consume marijuana whilst pregnant is extremely risky. This can affect the baby in the womb, after his/her birth, and later in life. There is higher risk of miscarriage, lower birth weight, and premature birth. It is also believed the children of women who used cannabis are more likely to have behavior problems.
– CHROMOSOME DAMAGE:
According to studies conducted in laboratories suggest marijuana is able to change the character of genes in cells, or ‘chromosomes’ (chromosomes contain the hereditary characteristics of our cells). It is suggested that these changes may be mutagenic – that is, able to be passed on to future generations.
– RESPIRATORY EFFECTS:
When marijuana is smoked, various gases and tiny particles are produced, including cancer-causing substances such as benzopyrene and benzanthracene, which are present in nearly double the concentrations found in tobacco smoke. Smoking one marijuana cigarette leaves airway deposits of 4 times as much cancer-causing tar as one tobacco cigarette. Marijuana is also a suspected cause of the lung disease, emphysema, and marijuana users have an increased risk of developing acute and chronic bronchitis, asthma, sinus problems and airway injury.
– HEART DISEASE:
When a person smokes tobacco, causing the heart to beat faster to make up for oxygen loss. A similar process occurs with marijuana; however, there is even greater pressure on the heart. Just ten puffs on a low-potency joint was shown to increase the heartbeat of patients to 100 per minute, as well as increasing blood pressure.
– FAMILY CONFLICT:
Drug abuse among young people, and use of marijuana in particular, may be a factor in the breakdown of family relationships leading to youth homelessness. Teenage drug abuse was a key cause of conflict in 42% of families assisted through The Salvation Army’s ‘Reconnect’ program, which assists families with a teenager considered to be ‘at risk’ of becoming homeless. More than 80% of the homeless young people currently being assisted by The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network in Sydney were involved in drug and alcohol abuse when they initially presented, and of those, almost all have used marijuana.
The Bottom Line:
Is Marijuana dangerous? You may make decisions after know the fact above while using marijuana that you regret later. Do you, a family member or a friend have a problem with substance use? If you want help, you may want to talk to someone you trust, such as your doctor, a teacher, a health nurse, or a guidance or addiction counselor. You might also want to contact an addiction assessment center or a self-help group .
If you want to learn more about substance abuse counseling, please go to our page.

Steps for becoming a drug abuse counselor

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

A drug abuse counselor can be a really great career choice for those who can handle it. These counselors make a big difference in the lives of many people, but the job does come with a lot of stress. If you are thinking about becoming this type of counselor, there is a lot of work involved before you can start applying for positions.

Step 1) To become a Drug Abuse Counselor, Go to college.

Man laying on the floor, maybe dead, from drug abuse
The ugly affects of drug abuse.

There are courses available at both community colleges and regular universities. Speak with a counselor about the goals that you have. They will put you in the proper classes that are needed in order to become a counselor. This will generally include sociology classes as well as a whole lot of psychology.
In addition to this, classes for health are also going to be required. Although psychology is a huge part of the counseling process, so is the body. It’s important for counselors to understand what their patients are going through. This includes withdrawal symptoms, how drugs affect the brain and more. Knowing this information can help with the approach to treatment.
Step 2) Volunteer.
Rehabs are always looking for people who want to volunteer. While you’re certainly not going to start off counseling people, you can get a feel for the environment. This can help you learn what different people do, how different patients are treated and which specialty area you enjoy the most.
Volunteering can also get your foot in the door for a job in the future. Becoming familiar with different people in the industry can lead to job positions after you are done with school. You’ll be a lot more comfortable in a rehab facility if you’re already familiar with the way it works.
Step 3) Find a mentor.
This is one of the toughest jobs out there because of all the mental stress it involves. Not only will you come in contact with people who have had serious drug problems, you will also come in contact with people who have gone through huge life changing events. These life events could be anything from someone being sexually abused to someone who always live in foster care. There are a lot of heartbreaking stories involved with people who are in drug counseling.
Having a mentor to coach you through the process will help out a lot. They can give you tips for how to deal with different situations so you don’t get too emotionally attached. This is really important if you want to maintain any sort of normal life outside of the job. A mentor can help prepare you for what is to come. They can give you insider information about the job that you probably won’t find under the description on applications.

a picture of cocaine with stop wrote on it.
Can you help counsel abusers to stop using?

Step 4) Finish your education.
If you want to become a drug addiction counselor it’s very important to finish your education. Once you have completed all the courses recommended by your counselor, it will be time for certification. Each state is different with their certification laws, so look into these to determine what you need.
Generally you are going to have to complete a written exam along with many hours on the job. This is where having an internship or volunteer job will really come into play and help you out. After you have all of this, it will need to be turned into the state. Within a few weeks you should know whether or not you were able to become certified.
Step 5) Find a job!
Once you are certified and have your education behind you, it’s time to start looking for a career. This could be at the place where you already volunteer, but other opportunities might also arise. Apply with as many places as possible so you have a lot of options just in case something else doesn’t work out.
If you want to continue your education, you could end up making a lot more money in the future. Some people are even able to open their own counseling offices when they have their master’s or PHD. There are a wide variety of classes available that will give you the education that is needed. What you do after you are certified it’s up to you what kind of drug abuse counselor you will be.
If you are interested in substance abuse counseling then you might be interested in our webpage.

Substance Abuse: How to Keep Your Teen Clean!

Posted on by Dominick Flarey
Young family outside posing with a football
Simply being involved can stop substance abuse

Teen substance abuse is an area where parents will always need to stay vigilant.  Peer pressure and experimentation are constant.   What is the answer to this problem?   Being involved in your teen’s life.   Knowing where they are at and who they are with.   However when that is not enough you might want to start hanging around other parents that have similar parenting habits as your own.   An article suggests that teens who are friends with other teens that have parents with the same parenting style, they are less likely to abuse drugs.

Substance Abuse: How to Keep Your Teen Clean!

The article, “Keeping Teens Substance Free”, Source: MedicalNewsToday

“Among friendship groups with ‘good parents’ there’s a synergistic effect – if your parents are consistent and aware of your whereabouts, and your friends’ parents are also consistent and aware of their (children’s) whereabouts, then you are less likely to use substances,” said Michael J. Cleveland, research assistant professor at the Prevention Research Center and the Methodology Center, Penn State.”

For the full article please go here.

Obviously this is not a fool proof way to keep your teens off of drugs and alcohol but it is a start in the right direction.   There are many other teen substance abuse counseling techniques you can use.  Drug abuse counseling and alcohol abuse counseling help and resources can be found throughout the internet.   If you want to learn more on the subject, our website is a good place to start.

Substance Abuse Counseling Must Also Be Spiritual

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance Abuse Counseling must also be Spiritual Counseling too

Substance Abuse is more than just a physical analysis of the body and its dependency on a drug.  It is even more than a psychological issue.  The reality is that when one is treating someone for a dependency on a drug, one must treat the unique wholeness of that individual.  This is where Christian Counseling or even merely Spiritual Counseling comes into contact with Substance Abuse Counseling.
From a more theological perspective, one must go beyond the physical and psychological manifestations of addiction but also see the spiritual elements that are at play.  In essence, if one accepts the reality of the soul, then one also accepts the reality of sin.  Sin is a rejection of truth and an acceptance of something in its place.  Some sins are occasional, while others can become habitual.  It is when a sin becomes habitual that it becomes a vice that pollutes the beauty of the soul and dampens one’s spiritual life with God on a consistent basis.
The particular vice of addiction correlates with drunkeness, which is one of the seven capital

sins.  This root vice can be applied to any substance that is used in excess to lessen reason.  This vice is counter to the virtue of temperance which teaches one to moderate any physical pleasures.  It also contradicts the teaching to respect one’s body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Through the misuse of substances, one not only hurts one’s body but also damages other social relationships.  One’s family, schooling and career can be ruined via substance abuse.  Furthermore, the substance becomes one’s god in many ways.  Everything else is put second to this devouring new god that demands finance and time at the expense of spiritual and physical well being.
With these things in mind, what does the virtue of temperance include?  Does it demand complete abstinence from all substances that can alter the mind?  This is a divided question among religious.  Islam strictly forbids any form of alcoholic drink, much less any addictive drugs.  Christianity, however, offers a mixed reaction.  While all Christian denominations condemn drunkeness and drug use, there is division upon moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.  Some denominations of Christianity condemn all drinking of alcohol and strictly forbid it.  Other denominations, including Catholicism, do not condemn drinking if it is done so moderately and without the production of an altered state.  These denominations primarily site

the story of Christ at the Wedding Feast of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine.  They also site the Last Supper where Christ turned wine into his blood.  All cases showed that Jesus partook in the consumption of wine and did not officially oppose it usage.
Yet, despite moderate usage, alcohol still can pose a threat to addicts.  In these cases, recovering addicts must avoid occasions of sin and temptations by completely removing themselves from the environment this vice lurks.  Counselors of both Substance Abuse and Christian Counseling need to understand the addictive nature of these substances to their clients.  The power of addiction as a physical force is strong enough.  One simple slip can enslave the person again to its power.  In this way addiction is more than a physical force but also a spiritual vice.  From a spiritual view, addiction is demonic in origins and hopes to lead the soul down a dark path void of the light of Christ.  In this way, whether a religious counselor or a substance abuse counselor, one needs to see the spiritual war that is taking place within the soul.  The person needs to find virtue and grace to finally overcome any addiction.  By replacing their vice with virtue and filling the void that addition gives with the love of Christ, one can overcome any addiction.  In this way, a spiritual rebirth or rediscovery is essential for spiritual healing.  This is key because usually what initially turned the person to the drug was due to a spiritual wound.  The drug and the subsequent addiction is an attempt to escape the spiritual damage.  One must face their pain, heal it and move on.  This can only be accomplished via God.  In this way, I hope Substance Abuse Counselors also discover the need to become Spiritual Counselors because the whole nature of the person needs treated not just merely the physical and psychological manifestations.
If you are interested in Substance Abuse Counseling or Christian Counseling Certification, please review both programs.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Substance abuse and the effects on the brain

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

Substance abuse can have many different effects on the human body.   It is never positive and has lasting effects on the brain.   A new study shows that cocaine, while it gives the user a quick rush, it can slow your brain down in the long run.   It is important that young people receive

The article, “Cocaine Brain? Cognitive Decline Tied To Chronic Use Of Illicit Drug”, Source: Huffington Post states

“Regular cocaine users often experience early cognitive decline and brain atrophy, and the new findings show how these users are, indeed, actually losing gray matter in their brain much faster than people who don’t take the drug.”

For the full article please go here.

Struggling with an addiction to drugs is a horrible thing to go through.   The need for trained substance abuse counselors to combat these addictions and help those trapped by them is ever growing.   If you are interested in substance abuse counseling, you should visit our site.

Benefits of Getting Substance Abuse Counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

When I made the realization that my own mother was going through some problems with substance abuse not too long ago, I knew right away that I was going to have to do everything in my power to try to get her life back on track and help her to realize that she had a real problem and needed help. So I spent a lot of time looking into some of the different options that I had when it came to trying to get her clean. For starters, I wanted to look into seeing if I might be able to talk her into substance abuse counseling. I knew that this would be a great way for her to get the help that she needed. So I looked further into substance abuse counseling and it was not long before I was able to get her to agree to go to it.

Getting Substance Abuse counseling

Posted on by Dominick Flarey

If you know someone who has had some issues with substance abuse, then you might be wondering what you can do to help them get past this difficult time in their life. Well, it may not be easy, but if you can, then one thing that you might want to look into doing is getting them to go to some kind of substance abuse counseling This can be a great way of getting them the help that they need and this can also make a huge impact on the rest of their life, giving them the future that they deserve. So if you are interested in this, then you are going to want to look into getting substance abuse counseling for that person. Start by trying to talk to them about it and see if this is something that they would be interested in or willing to give a try for themselves.

Substance Abuse counseling
Substance Abuse counseling