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!!!

What do you think? Answer below!

Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease which can prove fatal without the proper treatment of the core causes. Alcoholism’s symptoms can be quite evident when a person has physical withdrawal symptoms, noticeable cravings, a lack of control when around the substance, becoming physically dependent, and gaining an increased tolerance through frequent usage.

Sometimes will power is not enough to get to the point of recovery from alcohol dependence as there are many personal battles that can become unbearable for the addict. Professional assistance is often necessary to help the addict recover from substance abuse completely and with lasting positive effects.

There are many rehab centers which offer various alcohol addiction treatment programs, including intervention services, detoxification protocols, one on one counseling sessions , therapy, and medication. The initial stages of recovery include alcohol intervention programs during which the core problems of the patient is sought and analyzed. This is followed by the detoxification process which eliminates the most toxic substances from the addict’s body.

Counseling and group therapy are used to help the patient deal with emotional and mental aspects of addiction. Any treatment regiment involves both physical body and psychological side of treatment. The medication stage involves improving the physical health of the patient by prescribing medication.

Alcohol addiction treatment centers employ health and addiction specialists to address the needs of the patient. The rehab center offers in patient programs, individual support, exercise, and clinical facilities for the full care of the individual in order to facilitate a quick recovery.

With so many addiction treatments available, the addict should be able to find one cautiously planned to efficiently improve the person’s health physically and psychologically for a more productive and alcohol-free life.

Addiction is a serious disease that needs to be treated by professionals. Treatment for addiction differs from many other kinds of treatment in that it often requires a significant mental and emotional effort on the part of the addict in order for treatment to be effective.

Choosing the right addiction recovery programmes is vital both in order to support the patient during treatment, and to increase the likelihood that the addiction treatment will be successful.

Before treatment can commence, addicts need to cease their addictive behaviour.
Successful treatment for addiction must address the underlying emotional and spiritual problems faced by the addict. Without tackling the underlying causes of addiction, treatment will not be successful in the long term.

This is why therapy is recommended for people who want to overcome their addiction. Therapy may take the form of individual or group sessions, or a combination of both.

Group therapy

Group therapy has the advantage of providing addicts with peer support and helping them to understand that they are not alone, and that their problems are not unique. This can be a tremendous source of comfort and emotional strength, which is particularity important during the initial, very difficult, stages of cessation.

While the support gained from a group therapy session is valuable, it is important that these sessions are coordinated trained professionals. Group therapy is not merely a talking shop – it is about confronting difficult emotional problems – so the therapy sessions need to be guided by experienced therapists.

12 Step recovery programme

Some addiction centres incorporate a 12 Step recovery programme into their programme. Not all treatment centres use a 12 Step programme, but there is evidence that including the programme in the treatment regimen leads to a better rate of success.

Following the principles of the 12 Step programme can help patients work through their difficulties and find purpose and motivations.

Experience shows the programme increases the chance of remaining clean and decreases the likelihood of relapse.

Achieving a balanced lifestyle

A good in-patient addiction treatment centre will probably supplement therapy sessions with workshops and lectures. But overcoming addiction is, in no small part, about finding a sense of balance. A holistic addiction recovery programme may also offer activities and excursions that help addicts to lead healthier, more balanced lives. A variety of fun activities can also make the treatment process less arduous.

Centres may offer sports or hikes, and may even include activities like yoga or tai chi. A healthy eating plan is also often considered integral to a holistic treatment programme.
A tranquil, secluded environment can also be beneficial while experiencing treatment. Patients generally value the opportunity to step outside of everyday demands and focus on overcoming their addiction.

This is not because addiction recovery programmes are an escape from everyday life. On the contrary, the purpose of these programmes is to give patients the space and support to deal with their problems so that they can return as productive members of society.

Effective addiction treatment rehab center is what you need to combat the addiction problem that your loved ones have found difficult to overcome. Existence of several rehab centers just makes the task of selecting an ideal one quite difficult! So if you are also facing this similar problem then you will find this article quite helpful. Here, few key tips are highlighted that will assist you in selecting the right rehab center for your loved one.

Reputed rehab center: reputation of the residential treatment centers is what you should consider first before selecting the right one. Rehab center with a long successful track record should be given the preference.
Tailor-made therapeutic program: the severity of the addiction problem will vary from patient to patient. Therefore, the addiction rehab center that you choose should offer tailor-made treatment therapies to the patient. The treatment plans should be prescribed after analyzing the mental and physical condition of the addicted.
One-to-one counseling: an effective addiction rehab center should have proper one-to-one counseling sessions. This will help the therapist to understand the reasons that lead the patient in falling prey to the concerned addiction. Accordingly the therapist can then suggest apt rehab plan for the addicted.
Diverse treatment programs: renowned residential treatment centers generally offers varied addiction treatment programs to the patients. Apart from counseling and detox, they also offer an array of therapy courses which include Psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, individual therapy and so on. All these will assist the addicted to attain the right mental balance and composure.
Proficient medical staffs: the panel of therapists, counselors and medical staffs of the center also plays a significant role in imbibing the willingness to combat addiction among the addicted. Therefore, this factor should also be given due consideration.

It would be wise to consider the above points carefully before selecting an apt addiction treatment rehab center for the treatment of the addiction victim

A number of newer modalities are now becoming fairly common in addiction treatment. Florida, as has so often been the case, is a recognized leader in the delivery of some of these therapies.

The importance of physical fitness is now being stressed in addiction treatment. Florida rehab facilities offer strength training, cardiovascular endurance, water sports, and other activities in order to encourage the improvement in overall health during drug and alcohol rehabilitation and provide a foundation for future holistic health.

Ropes courses, a normal part of a supervised physical fitness regimen, have been used for some time in addiction treatment. Florida offers excellent topography and a fine climate for what has become an accepted, proven method for restoring self-esteem and building self-confidence.

Ropes courses are obstacle courses with climbing walls, horizontal beams and cables, swiveling bridges, numerous swings, zip lines, and water elements scattered along a gentle path through the woods.

While clients should be in fair shape to participate, courses are designed with fitness levels in mind. Safety is always the top priority in addiction treatment. Florida rehab facilities provide guides and trainers for added security.

Martial arts, such a tai chi and qi gong, are often taught in addiction treatment. Florida rehab programs may also offer yoga. All of these activities teach proper breathing techniques, healthy postures, gentle stretches, slow purposeful movements, and mental focus. Tai chi has even been referred to as “meditation in motion.”

Nutritional counseling has become an integral component of addiction treatment. Florida rehab facilities may provide group and individual sessions with registered dieticians and other specially trained medical personnel. Poor eating habits are sometimes early symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse. These become ingrained and must be dealt with, especially with the growing knowledge about the relationship of diet and diseases.

It’s been discovered that grief and feelings of loss account for a large amount of the anguish felt by those seeking addiction treatment. Florida rehab facilities have begun to provide grief counseling for those clients also attempting to recover from the death of a loved one, a divorce, job loss, geographic changes, educational dysfunction, even the absence of the client’s drug-of-choice.

Gender-specific group therapy has become a routine part of addiction treatment. Florida drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs have discovered the unique needs women in particular may bring with them into the treatment setting.

Chemically dependent females are far more likely than their male counterparts to have been victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, to have been tortured mentally or physically, and they often put off treatment because of a belief that they are needed in their often multiple roles of wife, daughter, mother, housekeeper, caregiver, or increasingly, breadwinner.

Statistically, if a woman has experienced any sort of abuse, it’s likely to have come from a male. There are, of course, exceptions.

By separating the sexes, it normally gives women a safe environment to discuss all sorts of familial or personal relationship difficulties without the sometimes upsetting presence of men.

For more information on Drug rehab in florida or Drug rehab centers in florida please contact us at Call (877) 772-5505.

About the Author:

This article is written by Peter Rhett .

Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease which can prove fatal without the proper treatment of the core causes. Alcoholism’s symptoms can be quite evident when a person has physical withdrawal symptoms, noticeable cravings, a lack of control when around the substance, becoming physically dependent, and gaining an increased tolerance through frequent usage.

Sometimes will power is not enough to get to the point of recovery from alcohol dependence as there are many personal battles that can become unbearable for the addict. Professional assistance is often necessary to help the addict recover from substance abuse completely and with lasting positive effects.

There are many rehab centers which offer various alcohol addiction treatment programs, including intervention services, detoxification protocols, one on one counseling sessions , therapy, and medication. The initial stages of recovery include alcohol intervention programs during which the core problems of the patient is sought and analyzed. This is followed by the detoxification process which eliminates the most toxic substances from the addict’s body.

Counseling and group therapy are used to help the patient deal with emotional and mental aspects of addiction. Any treatment regiment involves both physical body and psychological side of treatment. The medication stage involves improving the physical health of the patient by prescribing medication.

Alcohol addiction treatment centers employ health and addiction specialists to address the needs of the patient. The rehab center offers in patient programs, individual support, exercise, and clinical facilities for the full care of the individual in order to facilitate a quick recovery.

With so many addiction treatments available, the addict should be able to find one cautiously planned to efficiently improve the person’s health physically and psychologically for a more productive and alcohol-free life.