Substance Abuse Counselor vs Addiction Studies
The EPPP includes 225 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours and 15 minutes to complete. The exam costs $600, and the Pearson Vue testing site requires an additional $91.88. If you are concerned about your substance use, Dr. Linde suggests it can be helpful to ask yourself questions about the negative medical, psychosocial, legal, and financial consequences of drinking and using drugs.
Mental Health and Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders
- The most important thing is to make sure that the therapist or counselor you want to see is qualified to treat what you want them to treat.
- For more information on each state’s specific criteria for substance abuse counselors, visit the National Board for Certified Counselors.
- Consider a counselor who has experience treating your specific needs.
- Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support.
The evaluator isn’t there to judge you or tell you that you’re crazy. They are there to provide clarity and support as you consider what type of help you need. Although it can feel scary to start the process with a drug abuse assessment, it starts you on your way to wellness.
About the Acting NIMH Director
A “therapist” is an overarching term for a clinician who treats mental health concerns. It often applies, and is colloquially used, as a label for each of these three categories. For example, therapists often have a master’s degree, but a psychologist with a doctorate degree may also be called a therapist. substance abuse counseling Level 4 provides 24-hour nursing and physician care for adults and adolescents with acute levels of intoxication and/or withdrawal potential and people with medical, emotional, behavioral, or cognitive issues. A certified substance abuse counselor should be the top pick for someone who wants to get sober.
Treatment Options for Depression & Co-Occurring Addiction
- Substance abuse counselors aren’t licensed to provide primary treatment for mental health conditions.
- A mental health professional who has experience helping people with PTSD, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker, can determine whether symptoms meet the criteria for PTSD.
- While there is overlap between psychologists and counselors, there are also key differences that are useful to understand.
- That may explain why athletes have been therapy’s best advocates for decades.
- The most vocal of the proponents of recreational drug use are those who smoke marijuana.
- These medicines have to be prescribed by a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant.
Keep reading to learn the differences between a certified substance abuse counselor, a therapist, and a psychologist. This information can help you or a loved one get the help they need to overcome an addiction. Following the initial assessment, counselors develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique circumstances. These plans address the specific needs and challenges identified during the assessment. Many mental health organizations also have online directories of licensed therapists.
Use these free digital, outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about mental health. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help. Use these resources to find help for yourself, a friend, or a family member. Download, read, and order free NIMH brochures and fact sheets about mental disorders and related topics.
- Overall care includes an evaluation, treatment, and recovery follow-up services.
- Individuals who are being treated for depression while using drugs or alcohol are unlikely to see positive outcomes from therapy unless the substance abuse is taken into account and treated concurrently.
- Common degrees for a master’s level therapist include a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LCSW, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT.
- Hormonal imbalances after pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to chemical toxins may also play a role in this form of depression.
- In this article, we can help you choose the right substance abuse counselor and provide information about what to expect during counseling.
A Career in Substance Abuse Counseling
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