New Foundation to Focus on Addiction Treatment, Prevention
Its focus will be on addiction and substance abuse, said Gina de Peralta Thorne, director of business development for The Farley Center. Its funds could be used to improve access to addiction treatment, finance research projects or assist organizations …
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Actor Martin Sheen helps Tulsa addiction treatment center at fundraiser
"Addiction treatment and recovery centers help the entire community in ways most never see," Sheen said during a recent phone interview. "People we all know need help. They're in our churches. They're our co-workers. They're our children and our family …
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Addiction clinic to openin Covington by summer
Kessler said Northern Kentucky has a need for a drug-treatment facility such as Pinnacle's based on the population's addiction problems, particularly with prescription pills such as Oxycodone, and other narcotics such as heroin. The nearest treatment …
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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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No more secrets: AlcoCare to host open house Tuesday
This summer, a grieving woman complained to The Gazette about the scarcity of addiction treatment services in Rock County. Her brother had died a year earlier of a heroin overdose after battling addiction for years. Tom Bolan couldn't even read the …
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Open house sheds light on Central Okanagan addiction treatment resources
With funding cuts to local addiction treatment services in recent years, increasing importance is being placed on the awareness of what's still out there for those in need. Last Thursday, representatives from more than 30 agencies that actively work to …
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Legislators, community to discuss 2013 mental health and substance abuse …
King County legislators and members of the community will come together to discuss the upcoming legislative session and the need to ensure critical funding for youth and adults who need mental health and substance abuse treatment services. King County …
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www.AddictionSearch.com Desoxyn Withdrawal & Detox – Dial our toll-free hotline 800-839-1682 for help with or information about Desoxyn withdrawals and detoxification. Let’s help you start with the best matched recovery program for you. Our counselors are available twenty four hours a day to assist you however they can in getting you the specific treatment you need with detox, rehabilitation or to answer any questions you may have. Compassion and respect are instrumental in our substance abuse treatment programs. Our goal is to help our clients regain their life and their freedom back.

Substance abuse counselor faces DUI, murder charges
TORRANCE, Calif. – A substance abuse counselor was charged with murder and drunken driving Tuesday after authorities said she struck a pedestrian and drove for more than two miles with the dying victim embedded in the windshield of her car.
Read more on Daily Mail – Charleston

Substance abuse counselor arrested on drug charges
NEWTON N.C.– A Catawba County substance abuse counselor was arrested on multiple drug charges on Monday. Narcotics investigators working with the Catawba County Sheriff's Office and the Newton Police Department requested a search warrant for the …
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Tonero tackles substance misuse
Audra Tonero, the substance abuse counselor on campus, cleans up messes and she does it well. Every week, when Drew students are written up or transported due to alcohol or drug-related incidents, Tonero is there to address the concerns. Tonero is …
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Pamela Bean: Alcohol biomarker program reduces recidivism
Since 2010 Dane County has been using new technology called alcohol biomarkers to monitor heavy drinking in offenders who need substance abuse treatment. More than 200 offenders have enrolled in this program so far and the results have gained broad …
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Riley Regan, Pioneer and Advocate in Alcoholism and Drug Treatment
Earlier in his career, he served as Deputy State Director of the Maryland Alcoholism Control Administration and Deputy Director of the National Center for Alcohol Education. "Riley was a passionate advocate for those struggling to overcome substance abuse.
Read more on Sacramento Bee