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 If you're one of the intrepid psychology students who think, "I need a degree in substance abuse counseling," and set out to practice in this demanding but rewarding field, you'll be helping people with a wide range of problems related to addiction. Some sufferers of substance abuse also have other disorders or illnesses at the same time, or sequentially. This is called comorbidity. There can be a high likelihood, for example, that someone with a drug addiction also can have another disorder such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia or post traumatic stress disorder. While a connection can't always be proven, specific disorders are well-recognized risk factors for drug abuse—the reverse is true, as well. Due to the lack of adequate information about this phenomenon, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has made comorbidity a research priority.  Is Comorbidity Common? Multiple national surveys since the 1980s have revealed that many people diagnosed with mental disorders also habitually abuse drugs. Compared to healthy participants, reports show that those diagnosed with an antisocial syndrome or anxiety disorder were around twice as likely to also be suffering from a drug use disorder. Those with drug disorders were similarly nearly twice as likely to have mood and anxiety disorders. Since the emotionally traumatized are at greater risk of substance abuse, military veterans are a particularly vulnerable group. Studies suggest that as many as half of vets with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be suffering from a co-existing substance use disorder, as well. Getting accepted for treatment of both conditions at once can be a challenge. More research is crucially needed to find the best strategy in treating PTSD comorbidities. I Need a Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling—but Clinical Psychology Can Help, Too After becoming a drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor, you may have difficulty noticing mental illness in a patient who is being treated for drug abuse. Since the effects of intoxication or withdrawal seem similar to symptoms of mental disorders, sometimes a period of abstinence can be helpful to distinguish between the two. The NIDA suggests that the prevalence of comorbidity requires broad assessment tools and a comprehensive approach—such as that utilized in clinical psychology—in order to correctly diagnose coexisting disorders. According to the NIDA, a key principle from scientific research is that comorbid conditions should be treated at the same time. Although a variety of complicating factors can make accurate screening and treatment difficult, research is leaning toward a broad treatment strategy that may be applied across diverse situations and settings. Some medications suggest potential for treating coexisting conditions (such as bipolar disorder and cocaine dependency), and a number of behavioral therapies show promise to help both adolescent and adult patients suffering from comorbidity. The Need for Substance Abuse Counselors When you decide "I need a degree in substance abuse counseling," you also realize that the substance abuse counseling field needs you, as well. Since comorbidity is a current research priority for the NIDA, this phenomenon may be a curriculum topic as you pursue a degree in substance abuse counseling or in mental health counseling. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for counselors looks promising based on a projected 34 percent growth in this job area by 2016. Because counseling can involve long hours and relatively low wages, employment opportunities are very good since agencies may have difficulty attracting new recruits (note: government employers usually offer the highest wages). If you want to help people experiencing comorbidity or other health issues related to substance use, the realization that "I need a degree in substance abuse counseling" may open doors to a rewarding career.  Find a Psychology School Today—Getting Your Psychology Degree is One Step Away! |
