Roughly 50% of individuals with severe mental disorders are negatively impacted by substance abuse. Similarly, around 53% of substance abusers suffer from serious mental illness. Substance abuse and mental illness are complicated. They’re personal and often invisible diseases with legal and social implications. Keep reading to understand how addiction and mental health are related. The...
Insights from Judy Redman, M.Ed., MBA, CADC III, CACCS, CATC-V As an experienced Substance Use Disorder Counselor and educator, I have seen firsthand how challenging and rewarding the profession can be. Long hours and emotionally draining work are often the norm, but taking care of oneself is as important as helping clients. In my over...
A recent YouTube video interview conducted by Christopher Rush, Regional Director of Operations at Intercoast Colleges, offers a glimpse into the world of alcohol and drug counseling through the experiences of Evangelia Kafkalis. As a former graduate and valedictorian of Intercoast College, Evangelia has dedicated a decade of her life to counseling and has recently...
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...
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...
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 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...
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....
Did you know that over 1 in 4 American adults with mental health problems also have substance use issues? Addiction counselors are crucial in helping people cope with substance use disorders and improving their overall mental health. Suppose you are passionate about making a difference in other people’s lives. In that case, addiction studies could...
Behavioral health awareness continues to rise in the US, but so do behavioral health issues. Around 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a year. However, there are ways to help, including becoming a Behavioral Health Assistant. If you enjoy helping people and exploring psychological issues, you may want to become a Behavioral Health Assistant. Behavioral...