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Education has had a positive impact on smoking rates and alcohol use (to a lesser extent). I work with an addiction treatment center near Sacramento and it is indeed true that many people “in the middle” who need help are getting squeezed. I'd like to …
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Line between low risk and problem drinking varies with individuals
Still, alcohol problems are not rare, and any drinking may be risky for someone who is biologically vulnerable to developing a substance abuse disorder. Heavy or at-risk … Finding the right treatment for a person's specific needs is essential …
Read more on Midland Reporter-Telegram

Destination Hope Drug Rehab for Women Highlights the Increased Risk for …
Destination Hope: The Women's Program, a nationally recognized gender specific substance abuse treatment, alcohol and drug rehab for women facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has specialized programs for women with post-traumatic stress disorder, …
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Malibu, California-based Adolescent Drug Rehab Treatment Center, Paradigm …
Jennifer teaches women safety and self-defense techniques, how to avoid dangerous situations and how to defend themselves using “weapons” that can be found in a woman's purse. Paradigm Malibu is the only residential teen drug treatment program …
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Coral Gables, Florida Area Welcomes Recovery Associates, Providing Services …
Recovery Associates is a drug and alcohol treatment center that provides a variety of programs and services for men, women and teens struggling with chemical dependency issues. WEST PALM BEACH, FL (PRWEB) July 05, 2013. Recovery Associates 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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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 …
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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 …
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Question by nunya: Does anyone know at least 4 to 7 places where someone can get long term treatment for drug addiction?
This is for D.A.R.E

Best answer:

Answer by cintchick
The link I included below will take you to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) treatment center locator. SAMHSA is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services

Enter a city and state, then select “Continue”. You will then be offered options to target your search. In your case, under “Services Provided” you would select “Substance Abuse” and under “Type of Care” you would select “Residential Long-Term Treatment” and/or “Hospital Inpatient”. Again, select “Continue”. You will then see a list of centers with their contact information, as well as a summary of the services they offer and forms of payment accepted.

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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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