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Addiction Therapy

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PostPosted: Sat May 05, 2018 11:56 pm


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emotion_nope

A man should not strive to eliminate his complexes but to get into accord with them: they are legitimately what directs his conduct in the world.


Though most people think of drug or alcohol when they think of types of addiction, there are actually many more conditions that can be improved through therapeutic methods. This includes behavioral addictions for gambling, shopping, food, and sex, among others. But, like alcohol and drugs, each of these addictions can be overcome with addiction therapy, which focuses on finding the root cause of the addiction so that the addicted person can understand their addiction and learn skills to overcome their addiction. Addiction therapy can take a number of different forms. Perhaps most popular is inpatient rehabilitation, in which an addicted person goes to a rehab facility for 30, 60, 90 days or longer, and lives in a controlled setting. While there, patients explore their addictions in order to better understand why they developed and also learn strategies for living on their own once again. There are also many outpatient rehab programs and individual therapies that address addictions. For example, someone that has already been through an inpatient treatment program might see an addiction therapist for a period of time after his or her release. These addiction therapists might oversee small therapy groups for people with the same type of addiction or even work one-on-one with clients to help them build the skills they need to overcome their addiction.

Addiction therapists play an important role in helping people overcome addictions, whether they have addictions to drugs, food, gambling, sex, or any other attractive menace.

The job of the addiction therapist is first to listen to the patient’s own assessment of his or her addiction problems. Then the therapist, in cooperation with the patient and the rest of the health care team, can begin to form a plan to control the addiction. Most patients need numerous visits to their therapists, and a feeling of mutual trust and honesty must be maintained. Patients can be frightened, angry, confused, or depressed, and therapists must deal with the spectrum of emotions in a calm and professional manner. Showing confidence at all times will let the patient know that the team is competent to provide helpful service. Addictive substances fundamentally alter the way in which the brain functions, and it is these changes that lead to the compulsion of addiction. Addiction therapists work with an acute understanding of the affects of these substances on the brain and treat patients accordingly, helping to achieve positive, addiction-free outcomes. Addiction therapy is one aspect of recovery, but an important one. Therapists in this area will help patients better understand some of the emotional addictions that accompany substance abuse and how to cope with and control them. They will also put treatment plans in place and aid the patient in adhering to it. Initially, all patients will be given an individual screening by the therapist so they can fully understand each patient’s specific issues. Ongoing therapy sessions may be on a one-to-one or group basis, interventions such as twelve-step programs and discussion sessions are designed to help overcome these emotional aspects of substance abuse. Addiction therapists will often be involved in establishing and mediating group therapy sessions. The role of this type of therapy is to reduce the isolation and shame often felt by substance abusers and to encourage patients to build strong emotional bonds with other sufferers to increase the support networks they have within their daily lives. It also includes patients in a culture of recovery – they can see other people recovering and it seems both achievable and desirable. Addiction therapy can be a long, ongoing process. Therapists in this area often work with other professionals and will refer patients on to other specialties if it is felt to be necessary. The specific challenges faced by individuals may be different at different stages of recovery but the underlying functioning of the ‘addicted brain’ remains and, for that, an addiction therapist is key.

Addiction therapists work in many environments including hospitals, residential treatment centers, prisons, probation offices, and juvenile detention centers. Patients can be a challenge as they struggle, many times unsuccessfully, with their addictions. Addiction therapists must be ready to work with return patients while creating a safe, non-threatening environment for their patients. Getting an addiction therapy degree starts with obtaining at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to therapy or counseling. Usually, this takes the form of a degree in psychology or social work.

In some states, a bachelor’s degree is the only education required to be an addiction therapist, though there are usually additional requirements for licensure and/or certification. In other states, students must continue their education with a master’s degree, which, depending on the program, might take one to three years to complete. Again, licensure and certification requirements would necessitate further training, and usually takes the form of a period of supervised work under the watchful eye of a veteran addiction therapist. Where bachelor’s degree programs are typically broader and include studies on varying topics within and outside the realm of counseling and psychology, a master’s program in addiction therapy is much more focused. Not only do students spend more time studying addiction and ways to treat it, but they also spend time in practical situations, applying their skills to real-world situations. Coursework at the master’s degree level includes advanced studies in psychology, addiction, and treatment, as well as statistics, research design, and therapeutic methods. Additionally, students in master’s degree programs in this field study ethics and learn how to offer therapeutic services to clients in a way that is professional, ethical, and effective.



 
PostPosted: Thu May 10, 2018 10:30 pm



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The teacher for this class (major) is
Sofia Paradashi


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The teacher for this class (minor) is
Richard Othello
 

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Sigmund Freud Hall of Psychology

 
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