Prescription drugs: 'No single solution' to resolve addiction
Mr. Marconi added that the community is doing everything in its power to combat the growing crisis of drug abuse and addiction. But there is no single solution to the problem. “I don't know what exactly the answer is here and that's the frustrating …
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The Startling Rise Of Baby Boomer Drug Abuse
Baby boomers have become addicted to drugs at an alarming rate. The most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, released in 2012, found illicit drug use among people between the ages of 55 and 59 had increased more than any other group.
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Spice Addiction Treatment and Synthetic Marijuana Drug Rehab Announced by …
Recovery Associates is helping to curb this drug epidemic with a new treatment program for those addicted to spice and synthetic marijuana. According to research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, synthetic marijuana has become the second-most …
Read more on PR Web (press release)

Nonprofit dispersing money to fight substance abuse and addiction
A nonprofit group that was formed to tackle substance abuse and addiction among young people in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle is dissolving, said Berkeley County Councilman Douglas E. Copenhaver Jr., who led the organization. Helping Hands …
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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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Future of Portage teen drug centre in danger
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Film to explore detox from drug addiction
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New Southern Ohio addiction treatment center opens doors
Southern Ohio has been focused on attacking the epidemic of addiction to prescription drugs and heroin over the past several years. As a result, the Health Recovery Services (HRS) Southern Ohio Treatment Center recently opened in Jackson, Ohio. Jackson …
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Medicaid might overwhelm drug treatment centers
He said Medicaid expansion in Ohio would extend coverage to 5,000 people in Scioto County, and The Counseling Center expects to pick up about 500 new drug treatment patients. It has been 60 years since doctors concluded that addiction was a disease …
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The Living Breath Project Launches With Revolutionary Drug–Addiction Treatment
The Living Breath Project ( OTCQB : DMAX), a company dedicated to improving the lives of individuals through its emotional wellness programs, has created the answer to the growing drug addiction cases among Americans: a groundbreaking opiate- and …
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San Francisco Health Plan Hosts Forum on Pain Management and Addiction for …
Through SFHP, members have access to a full spectrum of medical services including preventive care, hospitalization, prescription drugs, family planning, and substance abuse programs. SFHP's mission is to provide superior, affordable health care …
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