Malibu , California – based Adolescent Drug Rehab Treatment Center , Paradigm …
Paradigm Malibu is the only residential teen drug treatment program owned and operated by licensed mental health professionals. Its core team has over 15 years of experience working together. Paradigm Malibu staff members are available to answer …
Read more on Watch List News (press release)

Delaware Voice: Delaware must expand its drug rehab programs
We have an epidemic of alcoholism and prescription drug abuse in Delaware and the nation. Our state has one state-funded detoxification center on Kirkwood Highway. Citizens come from Sussex, Kent and New Castle County every day for treatment, only to …
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LA County seeks to block release of convicted rapist
Hubbart is among more than 500 offenders in California who have been confined under a law that allows authorities to commit sexually violent predators to state hospitals if they are deemed to have mental disorders that make them likely to reoffend …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Matt Damon On Child Actors, Ben Affleck, Fame And Acting With 'Esquire'
In March 2008, a warrant was issued for the actor's arrest after he didn't show up to a hearing in relation to a ticket he received for unlawful smoking in Burbank, California. When the actor's lawyer showed up the next day … With a plea deal it is …
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Question by Danyel: What type of education would I need to become an RN at a substance abuse detox facility?
I am currently going to school for pre-health with a nursing concentration, until I have the requirements to apply for nursing. I would like to be able to work as an RN in a substance abuse facility. I was wondering if anyone could give me any advise as to how to go about doing this? I do not know if I will need to specialize in a certain area in order to do so or not? If anyone could help me out in regards to what to do education wise I would really appreciate it! Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by MeMeMe
Hi,

First off, good for you for wanting to work in addiction treatment! I’m an addictions counselor and have been working in mental health (mostly suicide prevention) for 7 years and we certainly need more qualified RNs in the field. So I think you will have an easy time finding work once you’re finished with school.

As for your question… To become an RN, you need to go to nursing school. Although I’m sure you already know this. As for specializing in addiction treatment, I don’t believe there are any additional requirements, but it would be good if you have experience working with addicts or at least a greater knowledge of treating clients with addiction. So I would suggest trying to get an internship of some sort with a treatment center in your area. They may not let you do much while you’re in school, but you will be able to put it on your resume. You can learn a lot from observing how things work in treatment. The other suggestion I have would be to take some extra classes that focus on substance abuse. Drug addicts and alcoholics face a variety of special issues separate from the “normal” population you would be working with in a hospital. Most community colleges and some universities now offer programs where you can learn more about these issues. I don’t know where you live, but you may want to start looking for college programs titled “Addictions Counseling” or “Addictions Studies.” Classes you may want to take would be any type of pharmacology, a bloodborne pathogens/infectious disease class, and even alternative treatments to addiction classes. It could also help to take a few classes for addictions counselors like group therapy, individual therapy, or something similar. These will definitely help you in the future in terms of communicating with your clients.

The most important thing I would think an RN working in addiction should have to be educated about is prescription drugs of abuse. Normally when I do an intake on a client coming into treatment, they have been medically prescribed multiple addictive drugs that only contribute to and exacerbate their disease (addiction). Usually these include opiate painkillers, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives and tranquilizers. I had a client once who was on NINE different benzos which she had been on for years, all prescribed by doctors for things like insomnia, anxiety, and even hypothyroidism. This is so egregious and disgusting to me! They were killing her. She obviously had to be medically detoxed for risk of seizures and death from her meds. And needless to say, after being evaluated by our MD, she didn’t NEED any of the pills.

Anyway, I’m rambling. Just excited to see someone wanting to help in the field of addiction treatment. It is rare these days, it seems. But what a satisfying and rewarding job. Good luck to you!!!

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Delaware Voice: Delaware must expand its drug rehab programs
Yet, Delaware still fills our prisons with drug users thereby disrupting families and communities and turning our citizens into felons, rather than delivering the treatment desperately needed for our loved ones. (Page 2 of 2). If your family member is …
Read more on The News Journal

Delco Heroin Task Force launches website, school presentations
… and educational programs available to schools in the county this fall. The Task Force was organized in September 2012 by District Attorney Jack Whelan and Delaware County Council to raise awareness about the epidemic of prescription drug and heroin …
Read more on Delco News Network

Protestor poster at Restore the Fourth rally in Washington, DC on July 4, 2013 …
WASHINGTON – While Americans celebrated the birth of the nation Thursday, just two blocks away from the White House an all-ages crowd of over 200 people rallied to call for a second American revolution. Enraged over the revelations from National …
Read more on Daily Caller

Painkiller abuse among women on the rise
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. -. A new study from the CDC discovered about 18 women die every day of a prescription drug overdose. … "When we look at patients who come into the ER or some into treatment for substance abuse, the majority of them are women …
Read more on WCYB

Eviction through the eyes of a child
Mr Eades said the only trouble the family had was from the house next door, which he claimed was occupied by drug dealers, and the other neighbours had no problem with his family. But neighbours who emerged after the commotion was over told _The …
Read more on Yahoo!7 News

South Florida Drug and Alcohol Rehab, Into Action Treatment Hosts Alumni …
Into Action Treatment is always having excursions and outings for their clients and this weekend will be no different. Into Action Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center will host a friendly alumni and client softball game. The game will be held at John …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Matthew Perry on drug and alcohol addiction during 'Friends' era: 'I was never …
He reflected on his routine alcohol abuse and a jet-ski accident in 1997, which led him to the use of prescription drugs. "Here, take this,'" the actor recalled of a physician telling him at the time. PHOTOS: CELEBRITIES IN REHAB. "I did and I felt …
Read more on New York Daily News

High School Dropouts More Likely to Have Drug and Alcohol Abuse Problems
Teens that have been off course in life can get back on and stop their substance abuse behavior. Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Destination Hope Drug Rehab for Women Highlights the Increased Risk for …
Treatment programs include: drug rehab, alcohol rehab, outpatient rehab, dual diagnosis therapy, family therapy programs, prescription drug rehab aftercare and women's health programs to treat depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Destination Hope: …
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UH Geauga Medical Center outpatient rehab services moved to Geauga County …
Patients undergoing physical, occupational, speech and aquatic therapy on an outpatient basis now receive these services at UH Geauga Medical Center's Rehabilitation Services and Aquatic Center located within the YMCA facility, 12360 Bass Lake Road.
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Into Action Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center Donates Tiles to RiseUP Gallery …
Into Action Treatment is a small 24 bed coed Florida drug rehab center located in Boynton Beach. Into Action is a very unique center, which focuses on long term recovery for addicts and alcoholics. Most treatment centers in the industry are 28 days …
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