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Addiction Counseling Education

By Ashley Boyce, an allied health world staff writer
Published: February, 27 2010

What’s the difference between substance abuse and chemical dependence?

Substance abuse counselor education through addiction counseling schools will teach students that substance abuse and actual physical chemical dependence are categorically different when defined in terms of behavior, as well as in terms of how treatment is approached. For recreational drug and alcohol abusers who haven’t developed physical addictions, the solution arrived at through assessment is often a day of Alcohol and Drug Information School (ADIS). ADIS provides an opportunity to learn from the painful experiences of drug addicts and alcoholics in a classroom environment without actually participating in any type of treatment. ADIS is typically a one-day eight-hour class that is paid for by the participant. It is often a court mandated requirement for minor drug or alcohol related offenses and is intended to help inhibit continued chemical abuse. Substance abuse is indicated by patterns of self-destructive behavior that certainly should be addressed through some level of intervention, but these patterns of behavior don’t always constitute an actual physical addiction. Substance abuse counselor certificate programs explore these issues in great depth.

Substance abuse counselor education through addiction counseling schools teach students that people are considered to have an issue with substance abuse if they’re pattern of drug or alcohol use can be described by one or more of the following criterion:

1. Recurrent substance use that results in a failure to fulfill standard role obligations at work, school, or at home. This would include repeated absences or poor work performance; suspensions or expulsions from school; or neglect of children and household responsibilities.
2. Recurrent substance use in situations where it is physically hazardous. This most often means driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
3. Recurrent substance-related legal problems like arrests for possession of drugs or for disorderly conduct related to being drunk or under the influence of drugs.
4. Continuing to use drugs or alcohol despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems related to using. This might mean arguments or physical fights with loved ones when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

Addiction counseling schools providing substance abuse counselor education will teach students that chemical dependency is defined by a pattern of substance use that leads to impairment and distress. People are considered chemically dependant if three or more of the following occur anytime within a one-year period:

1. Tolerance increases: Needing significantly more of a given substance to achieve intoxication or the desired effect, or a noticeably diminished effect is achieved when using the same amount.
2. Withdrawal: Experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal characteristic of a given substance (with heroin, for example, this would mean becoming very sick with nausea, cold sweats, and chronic fatigue), or needing to use a substance in order to avoid these withdrawal symptoms.
3. The substance is frequently used in larger amounts or over longer periods of time than intended. For example, one drink with dinner turns into finishing an entire bottle hours later.
4. There’s a strong desire to control drug or alcohol use, or there have been many failed attempts to quit or cut back.
5. A great deal of time and effort is involved in acquiring drugs, using the substance, or recovering from its effects.
6. Important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of substance use.
7. Continuing to use a substance despite knowing that it creates or worsens physical or psychological problems. This might include continuing to use cocaine despite recognizing the recurrence of cocaine-induced depression, or continuing to drink though it’s known that an ulcer will be made worse by consuming alcohol.

What’s involved in detoxification?

Substance abuse counselor degree programs teach that detox is typically viewed as the most painful and scary part of treatment for addicts. This is where the individual’s personal commitment to sobriety is truly tested since the period of detoxification is when withdrawal symptoms are most intense. Detoxification is the process by which a person abstains from use while their body processes or purges the chemical substance they have been using regularly for months or years. Detoxification is most often associated with in-patient treatment since a dependency issue severe enough to warrant detoxification won’t usually be one that outpatient treatment is appropriate for. However, in the case of heroin addicts who are pursuing methadone treatment through an outpatient clinic, three days of non-institutional abstinence that results in becoming dope-sick is necessary to determine if methadone treatment is appropriate. The term dope-sick refers to the acute withdrawal symptoms heroin addicts experience when abstaining from use. Dope-sickness manifests itself in symptoms including severe nausea, cold sweats, chronic fatigue, and generalized pain. Certain hospitals equipped to deal with substance abuse can facilitate detox. Inpatient treatment centers and detox-specific clinics also facilitate this process. Detox usually involves extended periods of bed-rest, and is often spent ingesting nothing but fluids. In the event that detox is being facilitated in response to a near-fatal drug or alcohol overdose, a patient may be administered an IV fluid drip to re-hydrate, and certain medicines may be used to help purge the system to reduce the toxic levels of the drugs or alcohol consumed.