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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ASAP prevention services just a phone call away

Image by U.S. Army Korea (Historical Image Archive)
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ASAP prevention services just a phone call away

Story and photo by Lee Sae-mi
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DAEGU GARRISON — December is normally thought of as a time for holiday cheer and family gatherings. Unfortunately there is another side to the final month of the year, and it is not so glamorous.

December is also designated as National Drunk and Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, in part because there are those who still must be reminded of the seriousness of alcohol impaired driving.

According to U.S. Army Garrison Daegu Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) Prevention Coordinator Jimmie Musgrow, it is important that the community is educated in the area of substance abuse.

“Alcohol is one of the major health problems throughout the world,” he said. “Prevention is a big part of our program. So, we go to any place that we can to conduct a class on substance abuse awareness. That training may include such topics as the steps in addiction, as well as how people can receive our services in the community. There is an extensive area that we want to share with our community. We want to soundly educate them on the medical, social, and psychological consequences of overindulging in alcohol”.

Musgrow said the Camp Henry ASAP intervenes and interacts with a good number of under-age drinkers. That is, individuals who are below the age of 21. It is done, he said, so that ASAP can address those specific issues as they relate to young people.

“As for Soldiers, prevention education works,” Musgrow said. “It’s often easy to see changes in a Soldier’s attitude, especially after 12 hours of awareness education. They come in with the idea that the session is for punishment. However, when they leave, they leave with something invaluable. Most importantly, they learn that they can make choices without peer pressure or any social influence. Also, when any individual comes for assistance and asks for an assessment, this information is kept private”.

Musgrow mentioned a number of factors that could lead to drug abuse.

“In the military, stress has a lot to do with drugs, alcohol in particular because it gives a sense of pleasure and relaxation. Stress from work, stress from being separated from families and also a history of accepted alcohol use can cause a person to abuse alcohol. This can especially be the case when a person is unaware of the resources he can use to cope with stress – other than alcohol.

“The biggest problem, believe it or not, comes from driving while under the influence of alcohol. Historically during the month of December, a lot of people go out to various social events, family events and alcohol will be served there. This is a big concern, and an individual should be very careful not to drink and drive. It is very important to have a designated driver, someone who is not going to consume alcohol.

“Alcohol is a problem if the individual does not drink responsibly,” said Musgrow. “ASAP arms the community with information that helps those who do use alcohol, to do so responsibly. Our goal is to prepare our service members for when they go out and indulge in the use of alcohol. Some good advice is to always have a full stomach, bring water with you, and have a buddy with you. Alcohol is a legal drug and if not used responsibly, it can and will create impairment problems.”

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