Blogs - The Addiction Professionals Network

Coming to an end

As the education portion of my training comes to an end next week, I am glad, and sad at the same time. I am glad because I am focused on continuing into this field, and being certified. I want to help people so much, that I am not so much worried where I will work or with who, I feel like I just want to contribute my knowledge to whom ever needs it. I am sad because I will no longer be in the class that I have grown at home with. They're like family and I enjoy being at school. I have had a lot… Continue

Added by Kasey Blackwell on November 30, 2009 at 12:23am — 3 Comments

How would you like to provide substance abuse services at no-cost to your clients?

For those clients, who can not pay, how would you like to have the means to work with them at no-charge? Sure, it is therapeutic to have them offer something for your service and sure you probably have done your share of pro bono work. But you have to pay your bills and you would like to not have worry about how you are going to take care of your family. Sure there are ways to make therapy more effective and at the same lower your cost to your clients. What is highly recommended is that your do… Continue

Added by Albert Boykin, LCSW, LMFT on November 17, 2009 at 10:35pm — No Comments

conflict resolution training

I want to thank all who was involved in putting together the work shop today, It was awsome, insperational, educational, informational and enjoyable... Thank You..... Dan Foreman......... Continue

Added by Dan Foreman on November 17, 2009 at 6:46pm — No Comments

New! Dual Diagnosis Best Practices paper available.

Recently published Dual Diagnosis Best Practices paper available at: http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/13909546?from_badge_documents_inline=1 (there are additional related articles, chapters, documents at this link - scroll down - click on titles). The Dual Diagnosis Best Practices paper provides a historical overview of the evolution of treatment and services for dual disorders. It includes good det… Continue

Added by Kathleen Sciacca on November 13, 2009 at 8:16am — No Comments

The true nature to addiction, domestic abuse, and workplace violence is in their motivations.

When are people going to get real? When society reads in the newspaper or catches on local news channels the headlines: Murder-Suicide, Domestic Abuse Homicide, or Workplace Violence, they are intrigued out of the common interest that everyone has; that being frustrations with relationship at home, work, and within their communities. It is from this realization people find themselves captivated in their wonder of why: “Why would a person go to such extremes as to purposefully destroy a life, fam… Continue

Added by Peter Stone, MA,CPT,CART,CAS on November 5, 2009 at 5:45pm — No Comments

Addicted to violence

Tonight, there was another shooting which occurred in Orlando. The news media was quick to put together a panel of experts. The topic: Addicted to violence. This is a perfect example of how society perpetrates the ignorance to violence. Violence is not a behavior, it is an outcome. I have never met a person who is addicted to getting drunk. I have never met a person who is addicted to beating up on his or her partner. However, I have met many who are addicted to the experience motivating the out… Continue

Added by Peter Stone, MA,CPT,CART,CAS on November 6, 2009 at 6:55pm — No Comments

Thank You Addiction Professionals!!!!

I want to thank all the Addiction Professionals who participated with helping us students here at Intercoast with a assignment.Alot of us students asked you to answer this following question: What issues come up in treatment that are out of your scope of practice and how do you handle it. And we wanted to thank… Continue

Added by Angel Domingue on October 7, 2009 at 9:24am — 1 Comment

Clearing up the myths about adolescent drug use:

Clearing up the myths about adolescent drug use: Myth #1: all adolescents experiment with drugs. Statistics show that the rate of teenage drug use remains at a very high level. According to a yearly study conducted by the University of Michigan and the Institute for Social Research, illicit drug use among eighth, tenth and twelfth graders rose from 1991 through 1996. For twelfth and tenth graders, use continued to rise in 1997 with a slight decline in 1998. Use among… Continue

Added by Jon Daily, LCSW, CADC II on September 12, 2009 at 4:56am — No Comments

Special Populations (Treating Patients With Disabilities)

As a profession we are faced with continually learning about our patients in order to provide them with a higher standard of care especially patients of the disabled population. Also as an administrator I have observed the fears associated with providing services to disabled patients with a fear of lawsuits. We may use statements such as "We are not equipped to deal with a patient with physical or visual impairment." even though we may not verbalize this statement it is definitely apparent in my… Continue

Added by Rick Reyes on September 9, 2009 at 7:30pm — 1 Comment

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

California State Capitol held the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Renee Zito, L.M.S.U., C.A.S.A.C She was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to lead California’s alcohol and drug prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts along with problem gambling programs. Renee also came out to celebrate Recovery.… Continue

Added by Angel Domingue on September 4, 2009 at 1:36pm — 2 Comments

Are we over medicating patients with co occurring disorders?

I know our responsibility in treating clients with Co- occurring disorders, but I feel that there’s alot of over medicating our clients with anti psychotics that seem to be making them just a numb as drugs and alcohol. I know its easy for an addict to say “ there’s something wrong with me so I need these pills” rather then dealing with the real problem. and I think we're keeping alot of people sick by allowing them to manipulate the system is such a way. Continue

Added by David Antar on August 31, 2009 at 10:45pm — No Comments

As Prevalent as Depression

Did you know that compulsive buying is about as prevalent as depression??? Well, it is. The World Health Organization estimates the prevalence of depression among US adults to be 6.7%. According to a study conducted… Continue

Added by Melissa Mitchell-Blitch on August 24, 2009 at 6:59am — 4 Comments

Dual Diagnosis unadressed leads to treatment failure, homelessness, revolving door incarceration and suffering.

Hi Everyone, The lack of integrated services for co-occurring mental illness and substance disorders in various combinations results in treatment failure across the addiction field and the mental health field. This in turn results in the downward spiral of people who fall out of these systems and end up homeless, or incarcerated and without any treatment at alll. Education is key for clients, their families, providers in all levels of care and the general public. For a fact sheet on dual diagnos… Continue

Added by Kathleen Sciacca on August 22, 2009 at 9:43pm — 2 Comments

A Crystal Meth Poem

I'm sure some of you have seen this: If my glamorous lifestyle is appealing to you. And you want to try me because you've nothing to lose. Then, let me give you a bit of advice. You are a fool. And you'd better think twice. I destroy homes. I tear families apart. I take your children and that's just the start. I'm more valued than diamonds. More precious than gold. The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold. If you need me, remember; I'm easily found. I live all around you. In school and in to… Continue

Added by Meth Man on August 1, 2009 at 5:15pm — 3 Comments

Are You Sure You Want To Become An INTERVENTIONIST?

A few years ago I noticed an increase in business as an interventionist but along with the increase in business I also noticed an increase in competition. Everyone was wanting to become an interventionist, because everything looks easier on television. With the release of A&Es Intervention the world was now exposed to this powerful process of change. But I know that it was a lot more difficult than what was depicted on a one hour series. My Introduction To Intervention I was taking a… Continue

Added by Rick Reyes on August 6, 2009 at 8:30pm — 7 Comments

Adolescent Drug Use: Contributing Factors for the Rapid Progression to Addiction

Early Onset of Substance Use: Contributing Factors for the Rapid Progression to Addiction with Adolescent Drug-Users by Jon Daily, LCSW, CADC II www.recoveryhappens.com Adolescent drug use in our society is often times viewed as a harmless phase that teens will, eventually, outgrow. Many believe that teens would need to continue drug use for several years into adulthood before actually becoming addicted. However, research indi… Continue

Added by Jon Daily, LCSW, CADC II on July 26, 2009 at 8:32am — 2 Comments

Street Outreach

I am presently Program Coordinator for a local non-profit agency that implements street outreach for the target populaton of sex-industry workers. We have a drop-in center provides: Rapid HIV Testing, clothing closet, hot food, peer counseling, one-on-one sexual trauma counseling with a Ph D in Psychology (our Director), support/education groups, etc. Street Outreach consists of many challenges; I have learned much on my journey. We currently are staffed with 5 peer counselors, a group facilitat… Continue

Added by Julie Debbs on August 2, 2009 at 7:00am — 3 Comments

Why Do We Label OurSelves Addicts

In my opinion, I don't understand why people are so willing to accept the label of "addict". All our lives we try to shake off labels and try to prove people wrong. But when it comes to the label of "addict," people accept that label. Now when I hear someone say, " My name is Bob and I am an addict" It makes me wonder why they are labeling themself. I feel bad because they have accepted what they have been told they were. Just because you did drugs, that doe'snt make you an addict for the rest o… Continue

Added by Shane Jones on July 23, 2009 at 12:00pm — 8 Comments

At the Root

Why is it that we do not educate on the disease of addiction early on to the students in grammar school, middle school, or even high school. All throughout my years going to public schools the only thing that I had ever heard about drugs was to, “Just say NO”. So where does that leave us. I believe that the just say no method is a waste of time to begin with. For starters it gives teens that curiosity to drugs, and why not to take them. When this happens I believe that it sets off a chain of eve… Continue

Added by Kasey Blackwell on August 1, 2009 at 1:12pm — No Comments

THE SMALL THINGS

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I never appreciated Roses during my addiction; I never appreciated any of the small things I thought the world owed me because of my disability you see I was born premature a 2 lbs. 5 oz. new baby boy and as a result of the danger of death th… Continue

Added by Counselor on July 13, 2009 at 8:00am — 5 Comments

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