What You Need To Know Before You Become A Substance Abuse Counselor Pasadena

By Jennie Sandoval


When it comes to substance abuse counseling, there are mainly two phases involved. The first phase is where a patient is helped to stop using these drugs. The second phase is the psychological rehabilitation to help the individual from the effects of withdrawal symptoms. People suffering from addiction of prescription drugs, alcohol or street drugs can be rehabilitated using this two-pronged approach. There is more than one category of substance abuse counselor Pasadena citizens need to know about.

The type of counseling an individual is taken through is determined by the severity of the case, level of addiction as well as potential for harm to the person himself and also to the people he interacts with during the recovery process. These normally include out-patient, in-patient and retreat-style. The counselor is best placed to decide what type of counseling you go through.

Although professional substance counseling mainly relies on talking therapy, it is not the only one. Most importantly, available medications which help in reducing withdrawal symptoms are a major component of any professional therapy. Examples of these medications are ibogaine which is important for treating various addictions and also methadone that helps manage opioid dependence.

To become a counselor, there is no requirement that you study any specific degree. However, taking classes on the mental effects as well as physical effects of addiction is very important. Care classes are also important also, and these can be done at the nursing department of your college.

There are other important considerations that have to be taken into account. It is important that, when a patient recovers to the point of being considered sober, he or she is engaged in relapse prevention. In the event that a counselor is not able to empower the individual to now be in a position where he or she can be in charge of their own lives, there is a great chance that relapse to drug abuse will occur.

Visit the local branch of any alcohol addiction group. Ask if it is possible for you to attend their meetings. This is important to you as it offers you the opportunity to see how counselors work with their patients. However, you need to know that there are some groups which will not like outsiders joining them. This has all to do with protecting their privacy.

To start off, you may have to look for volunteer positions at local addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers. This gives you the experience you need to have in order to work as a counselor. If it happens that there are no clinics where you come from, inquire from the hospitals in your area if you can intern in any of its departments.

To get more credentials, you may want to get certified. To do this, consider talking to certification Board for Addiction Professionals from the state in which you come. It is a requirement by most states that a candidate attains a certain number of hours before he or she can be allowed to take the written exam.

Substance abuse counseling is a career that is not only rewarding but also offers you the chance to help other people. The work involves working with an individual on a one-on-one basis and getting to see them overcoming their problems. This can be deeply satisfying because you have changed the life of an individual for the better. When opting to become substance abuse counselor Pasadena people are making the right choice of helping their fellows.




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