I Need a Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling

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.

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.

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 can 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 coexisting 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.

Once 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. Because counseling can involve long hours and relatively low wages, employment opportunities are very good since agencies may have difficulty attracting new recruits.