Research from the past ten years shows that almost half of all people getting treated for prescription painkiller abuse have some kind of mental health diagnosis. In particular, young people tend to fall into drug abuse due to stressors common around that time and fluctuating hormones. But how exactly are mental health disorders and substance...
Author: Judy Redman (Judy Redman)
Is Drug and Alcohol Counseling a Good Career Choice?
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 11.7% of people over 12 use illegal drugs. Furthermore, reports show that 60.2% of Americans have substance use disorders. Unfortunately, drug abuse is a serious problem in the United States. If you are considering drug and alcohol counseling as a career to assist those suffering from...
7 Tips for Starting Your Education in Addiction Counseling
Imagine a job where you change not just one person’s life but multiple people’s lives for the better. Drug abuse has a ripple effect that spreads widely from the addict to their friends and family to their coworkers and beyond. When you help someone overcome drug addiction, you contribute positively to that ripple effect. An...
The Differences Between Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certification Bodies in California
The substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counseling field is expected to grow by 22 percent over the next ten years. This growth rate is much faster than average. This means that the need for trained counselors is on the rise. With this growth comes a need for certification and licensure, which can confuse...
7 Tips for Becoming an Alcohol Counselor
Did you know that people qualified to become addiction recovery counselors may also be qualified to work at outpatient substance abuse centers, private practices, mental health centers, and local and state hospitals? If you want to make a positive difference in the world, it is a great idea to become an alcohol and drug counselor....
Is There a Shortage of Drug and Alcohol Counselors?
Did you know that it is estimated that 21 million Americans have at least one addiction? Yet, only about 10 percent will receive treatment. (cf addictioncenter.com) There are various reasons for this; however, a big one is the availability of treatment. Drug and alcohol counselors play an integral role in the lives of individuals that...
Tips on Dating and Being in Recovery
Being in recovery doesn’t make it easy to date. For anyone who has struggled with addiction, it may feel like every potential partner is asking for trust and to take a risk on someone they barely know. However, being in recovery can make dating challenging, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible, or there aren’t ways...
How To Exercise Self-Care in Addiction Recovery
Overcoming addiction is one of the hardest things anyone will have to do. But it can be made easier. Addiction can significantly impact your life and mental health and result in substantial changes to your lifestyle. When you spend all your time and energy focusing on overcoming addiction, it’s easy to let other aspects of...
May is Mental Health Month
Every year since 1949, Mental Health America has held Mental Health Month. Along with affiliates across the United States, Mental Health America strives to share the importance of mental health with millions of people through media coverage, mental health screenings, and events led by individuals and organizations. Especially this year, mental health is a topic...
What Is a Peer Support Worker? What Do They Do?
It’s not uncommon for people to have a passion for working in the mental health field. This provides the opportunity to help others overcome issues they struggle with directly. One of the unique occupations in this industry is peer support workers. However, many people aren’t sure what they do or how they help. Read on to...