Certification and Licensing Substance Abuse Counselors

It involves a form of talk or behavioral therapy and sometimes medication. One study of treatment facilities found that almost 80% of people undergoing therapy for cessation received medications. When tapering off of the substance, you can experience painful withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to be monitored closely in a treatment center while tapering off.

Substance abuse counselors are required to be licensed to practice legally. After discussion with you, your health care provider may recommend medicine as part of your treatment for opioid addiction. Medicines don’t cure your opioid addiction, but they can help in your recovery.

Harnessing the Power of Group Therapy

Counselling also serves as a platform for addressing co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, which often accompany addiction. These may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing, family therapy, and group therapy, among others. Each modality brings its own set of techniques and benefits to the treatment process.

Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid.

What You’ll Learn From Our Accelerated & Self-Paced Online Programs

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Research has shown that peer-delivered recovery support services, including 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), can be beneficial for people recovering from SUD. Residential or inpatient treatments can be very effective, particularly for individuals with severe SUD and those with co-existing conditions. Licensed residential treatment facilities offer 24-hour structured care with medical attention. It also assists with reducing cravings, avoiding situations, and learning healthy coping skills.

Psychological and behavioral treatments

Substance abuse counselors are employed at government agencies, clinics, hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, nonprofits, and residential treatment programs. Most substance abuse counselors are trained to provide services https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/substance-abuse-counseling/ based on 12 core functions. And as mental and behavioral health awareness continues to grow, along with access to treatment, so does the demand for qualified substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors.