Lancaster County adds 000 to drug-and-alcohol treatment budget
Chester County was able to create an addiction treatment program and Tioga County was able to improve mental health and drug and alcohol awareness as well as increase funding for respite programs, she said. The department is proposing expanding the …
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Into Action Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center Adds Softball to their Weekend …
Andrey Rossin is the founder of the only Hyannis format Big Book Step Study Treatment center in the world and he had this to say about the new softball program, "Our clients have been enjoying playing softball, and we wanted to make it a more permanent …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

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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Into Action Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center Visits the South Palm Beach …
Alcohol & drug rehab Into Action Treatment center celebrates and enjoys recovery this weekend at the South Palm Beach County Intergroup Anniversary Picnic. Into Action Drug Treatment Facility will bring their entire center to the event in Lake Worth …
Read more on Watch List News (press release)

A Drug Rehab Facility's Unconventional Approach to Drug and Alcohol Treatment
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. At the core of their philosophy is the belief that addiction is a treatable …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Lohan's new rehab center has no drug or alcohol treatment license
“They do not have a license to provide alcohol or drug therapy in any of their facilities,” said Millicent Tidwell, deputy director of the licensing division of the Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. Tidwell said licenses for three Costa Mesa …
Read more on Los Angeles Times

Into Action Alcohol & Drug Treatment Center Visits the South Palm Beach …
Alcohol & drug rehab Into Action Treatment center celebrates and enjoys recovery this weekend at the South Palm Beach County Intergroup Anniversary Picnic. Into Action Drug Treatment Facility will bring their entire center to the event in Lake Worth …
Read more on Watch List News (press release)

Youth Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers Push for Higher Reimbursement Rates
May 2, 2013 – In the 28 years that De Paul Treatment Services has provided youth alcohol and drug treatment services, it's only seen a minor increase in reimbursement rates from the state. Now its future, along with the future of other youth treatment …
Read more on The Lund Report

Warrior Recovery Center One Year Anniversary Party

Image by USACE Afghanistan Engineer District -South
The staff at the Warrior Recovery Center, which celebrated its first anniversary Feb. 16, 2013, invited U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel to an anniversary barbecue and party since many USACE folks volunteer to help ease recovery for wounded troops.

The wooden deck upon which members of the 3rd Infantry Division Band performed, was recently built by USACE volunteers including Tony Carter, Nandy Perillo, Mike Rooney, John Caudill, Steve Reed, Bee Xiong, Jim Armstrong, Mark Alton, Al Lorenzo, Bob McEchnie, Julio Arocho, Lt. Col. Stephen Bales, Perry Hubert and Doug Jamieson. Carolyn Imhof, Sarah White, Adam Walker, Ingrid Burnette and JC Delgadillo are also frequent WRC supporters.

Navy Seabees along with Army volunteers recently built a putt putt golf course at the WRC, too, which was officially opened at the anniversary party.

New Jersey Disaster Recovery Centers To Transition To SBA Loan Outreach …
TRENTON, N.J.–The remaining four New Jersey FEMA-State disaster recovery centers will transition Saturday, May 4 and reopen as Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Outreach Centers Monday, May 6. The DRCs transitioning are the Brick …
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Bow Creek Now Offers Transportation to Their Recovery Center for Those Who …
Bow Creek and Bella Vista Recovery Centers is an Idaho network that combines a main treatment center with residential facilities to offer intervention, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, aftercare and connections to area sober living facilities. With the …
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Question by lil sammy: Need in-patient detox and rehab, but I’m so afraid?
I’ve had a drinking problem for several years. I am at the point of physical addiction where I become very anxious and sick feeling if I go too long without a drink.
I tried a private center before, but was mistreated by staff and another patient and checked out early.
During this time I developed a deep mistrust of doctors who I feel just chuck a bunch of pills at me without talking with me and giving me the help I truly want.
Can anyone tell me if they have been to a treatment facility that was nice and you were treated with respect? A place that had a caring staff that explains your treatments and helps you get the most benefit? It doesn’t matter where–I’d travel anywhere to fix this. Hell, I’d walk if I had to.
I’m starting to feel hopeless and am desperate for any advice.
Thank you very much.
Thanks everyone so far for kind answers! To clarify, the mistrust of docs has developed in the 2 years since my first rehab attempt. I’ve been given scary antidepressants and lots of sleeping pills. All of which just makes me feel crappier 🙁

Best answer:

Answer by Tigger
There are rehab centers who will offer what you seem to be looking for. I’m sorry to hear about what happened the last time- But it’s not the first time I’ve seen such behavior in what are supposed to be professionals. Have you tried writing a letter of complaint to these people? And if you do, keep a copy for your own files in case they ‘lose’ it.

Since you have internet access, try running a Google search for addiction treatment centers and see what you find.

Good luck, Honey. I’ll be cheering for you!

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