Hope Fund: Music died with drinking, drug use; fomer addict wants instrument
For more than a year, Florence has been free from substance abuse and takes his medications religiously. Currently, Florence lives on a monthly Social Security disability insurance check of just over $ 800. After rent, cable and groceries, he has little … Read more on Florida Times-Union

Music died with drinking, drug use; but former addict wishes for instrument …
For more than a year, Florence has been free from substance abuse and takes his medications religiously. Currently, Florence lives on a monthly Social Security disability insurance check of just over $ 800. After rent, cable and groceries, he has little … Read more on Florida Times-Union

'Average age of drug addicts is decreasing and it's alarming': Mukta …
This place can only close down if there are no addicts and hence this is my unusual wish,” said Puntambekar. Stressing on various patterns in drug and substance abuse, she said, “Over the years since I joined the institution in 1993, I have seen … Read more on The Indian Express

Question by Green: AODA counselor degree advice?
Hi there. I want to become an AODA counselor, I was wondering, hopefully for some advice from real AODA counselors, how is the schooling money/studying-wise? Is it worth the job? (Im sure I will find the job more than worthwhile no matter what, I don’t care for money, I want to help people more than anything)

What does the school consist of and how many years should I plan on going?

thanks in advance.

Best answer:

Answer by jannsody
If by AODA counselor, you’re referring to an “alcohol and other drug abuse” counselor, which is most likely similar to the credentials of CAC (certified addiction counselor) or CADC (certified alcohol and drug counselor), then obtaining a master’s degree can make a person more marketable in the field.

It’s great that you’re not considering “addiction counseling” for the money as most don’t enter the field for the salary 🙂 A lot of addiction counselors are “in recovery” (from addiction) themselves, but it’s not a prerequisite.

The substance abuse counseling student needs to get a passing score while completing several clinical fieldwork hours under the supervision of a clinical supervisor and having an actual patient caseload.

This site has more general info re: certification in addiction counseling: http://www.naadac.org/certification

Just an fyi that the social work/counseling (and nursing) field is supposed to have a high burn-out rate.

With regard to schooling, please do *avoid* those private For-profit schools, such as devry, ITT tech, strayer, U of P, capella, regis, argosy, walden, grand canyon, ashworth, full sail, ashford, pima medical, Stratford career, keiser, Everest, penn foster, icdc, Kaplan, art institute, concorde career and others. Their course credits usually do ** NOT ** transfer to other schools, even if the for-profit school is regionally accredited as opposed to only nationally accredited.

General career info: http://www.bls.gov/ooh and can search “substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors”, “social workers”, “counselors” or such.

For U.S. colleges (though, please still forgo those for-profit schools): http://www.utexas.edu/world/univ

This government site has more general info re: “functional qualities and helping skills for AODA counselors and therapists”: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/substabuse/docs/reports/Helpingskills3.pdf

You may want to consider volunteering at a “crisis helpline” of which the volunteer engages in “active listening” (including reflecting feelings) of the caller as opposed to providing counseling or giving advice.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Substance counselor gets prison in DUI death
LOS ANGELES (AP) – A substance-abuse counselor who struck a pedestrian with her car and drove through a Los Angeles suburb with the dying man on her windshield was sentenced Thursday to 55 years to life in prison. Sherri Lynn Wilkins, 53, was … Read more on 7Online WSVN-TV

Woman who drove with dying man on car gets prison – KOAM TV 7
LOS ANGELES (AP) – A substance-abuse counselor was sentenced Thursday to 55 years to life in prison for hitting a pedestrian with her car and driving through a Los Angeles suburb with the dying man on her windshield. A jury earlier this year convicted … Read more on KOAM-TV

Sheriff disappointed in drug program results
Although Cahill is not a substance abuse counselor, he was hoping the lessons his company teaches would also help the program's participants. Three of the men in the program have been sentenced to prison, one for committing another crime and two for … Read more on The Daily Standard

News anchor Bert Roselle: 1933-2014
Mr. Roselle, a former television anchor and drug abuse counselor, has died at age 80. Colleagues remember Bert Roselle as the first “face” of Channel 17 news. He was the veteran professional in a relatively young newsroom and a mentor with a sense of … Read more on Florida Times-Union

NSB has SAPR training
He is now 21 years drug and alcohol free. Bernie's main message is to inspire troops to avoid alcohol and substance abuse to cope with stress and focus on training mission success. “It is an honor to come out and give the audience some laughs, but most … Read more on Florida Times-Union

Penn Medicine points to new ways to prevent relapse in cocaine-addicted patients
(PHILADELPHIA) – Relapse is the most painful and expensive feature of drug addiction—even after addicted individuals have been drug-free for months or years, the likelihood of sliding back into the habit remains high. The National Institute on Drug … Read more on EurekAlert (press release)

Chronicle AM–April 2, 2014
"Prescription drug abuse has reached crisis levels and is leading to a spike in heroin abuse as well, and we should spare no effort to reverse this deadly trend," Klobuchar said. "My drug take back law will help keep drugs out of the wrong hands and … Read more on Drug War Chronicle

5 receive Lifetime Achievement Awards
Rushing sends hundreds of greetings each year through a card ministry and volunteers at the Christian Social Ministries thrift store, which raises funds to purchase items for a local food pantry, Yawn said. She also donates on a regular basis to Safe … Read more on Statesboro Herald

1964-2014: Former Jacksonville police officer Mark Larson, who lost forearm …
JSO officer Mark Larson his wife, Erica, and their son, Christian. Mark coached his son in t-ball. … Before she could return to St. Vincent's Medical Center, her vehicle had a flat tire. A stranger fixed the flat, allowing … The man left Murphy's … Read more on Florida Times-Union

Nurse aide sessions
Patti Cloar, certified personal trainer, will have the spring session of Tabata Reboot Camp Sunday through May 4 at the Family Activity Center in Clear Creek Park. Tabata is an interval based fitness workout … Suicide loss recovery groups meet at 7 … Read more on Shelbyville Sentinel News

War on Drugs Conference at OCU
Ohio Christian University is holding a War on Drugs conference this weekend. Dr. Monty Lobb says the event will include a … Track 2 focuses on rehab professionals, where Track 3 deals with the law enforcement community. The conference takes place in … Read more on Buckeye Country 105.5

Question by Neil: Why do we itch? How and when will it occur?
How does itching occur? And why do we scratch to ease our itch?

Best answer:

Answer by diamond4785
Histamines cause itching.They are chemicals released by the immune system. The body sees them an invaders, resulting in an allergic reaction. This is why we itch.

What do you think? Answer below!

Citizen Columnist / Alba Herrera / The system is failing heroin addicts
New Jersey needs to institute a measure similar to Florida's Marchman Act, which permits a person to be admitted for assessment or treatment for substance abuse against his or her will. Perhaps if New Jersey had this statute, my son would be alive today. Read more on Press of Atlantic City

Legislature's commitment to expand crisis intervention services will hopefully …
As the experts in providing integrated behavioral health services to the people of Colorado, the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC) has advocated for many years to expand funding for much-needed mental health and substance abuse care and … Read more on The Colorado Statesman

Youth drug counselors face challenges
VALPARAISO | Tom Moeller said the growing acceptance of marijuana use across the country is making it tougher for him and others working to help young people with substance abuse problems. As marijuana gains legitimacy and becomes legal in more … Read more on nwitimes.com

Nonprofit Center of NE Florida awards: 'Collaboration and innovation are in …
Services include clothing, counseling, family therapy, behavior management, substance abuse counseling, parenting classes, medical treatment and psychological testing, tutoring, legal consultations and referrals to outside services, according to the … Read more on Florida Times-Union

Norwalk Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Certified by National Association
Norwalk, CT – Norwalk Hospital is proud to announce the certification of its Cardiac Rehabilitation Program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The Norwalk Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program was … Read more on Connectcut Plus

A cycle of life: Brooks Rehab offers sports programs for disabled
[email protected] Gary Butcher rides his competitive handcycle in the parking lot at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida Deerwood Campus on Nov. 16 during Brooks Rehabilitation's weekly handcycling event. It's one of many sports programs … Read more on Florida Times-Union

Shakespearean rehabilitation: UW-Parkside program for inmates to return to RCI
Although he said that prisons in Wisconsin offer helpful opportunities for inmate growth, Williams called on the Department of Corrections to allow more programs such as the Shakespeare Prison Project into prisons, and make it easier for the community … Read more on Journal Times

Boston teams with trial courts to launch veterans-rehabilitation program
The city of Boston has formed a partnership with the Massachusetts Trial Courts to create a rehabilitation program for veterans who are found guilty of lesser crimes and suffer from addiction and mental health issues. The program, which provides an … Read more on Boston Business Journal (blog)