Substance Abuse Counseling: Definitions, Requirements and Finding a Counselor

A license to practice psychiatry requires a four-year post-medical school residency and an acceptable score on the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) examination. The ABPN exam, which takes 8.5 hours to complete, comprises 425 multiple-choice questions. The substance abuse counseling exam does not specify a pre-determined passing score, and the test standards are not norm-referenced. If you have tried to quit or cut back on your own and found you could not do so, you may want to try other options and learn more about treatment for substance use.

• The specific licensing requirements vary by state, specialty, and job function.
• A mental health counselor may refer you to a psychiatrist to treat the biological underpinnings of a mental health condition.
• Residential (meaning you live at a treatment program)Residential care usually lasts for a few weeks to a few months.
• For many clients, the two diagnoses (substance abuse and mental health disorder) are deeply intertwined, requiring simultaneous treatment.
• It also is not uncommon for people to not recognize the impact that their substance use has on their life.
• This article discusses what constitutes harmful substance use, illegal substance use, and prescription drug misuse.

Compare the Licensing Requirements for Mental Health Professionals

Clinical psychologists specialize in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, while counseling psychologists focus on counseling specifically. Psychologists and psychiatrists treat patients with more serious mental health issues, given their more extensive training. Psychologists may specialize in particular populations, such as children, or particular conditions or types of treatment.

Getting to NIMH

Lots of people have a hard time understanding the differences between them. Not all states license substance abuse counselors for independent practice. If you want to find out whether your state licenses substance abuse counselors, you can go to our state-by-state license lookup guide. The most basic difference between a therapist and a licensed substance abuse counselor is which license a person holds.

Common signs and symptoms of depression

Approved medications for alcohol use disorder and tobacco use disorder are also available. Each program has its own costs, so it’s important to understand how to pay for treatment. In addition, the physical and psychological effects of addiction may mask the signs of depression or worsen the symptoms of this psychiatric illness. For the loved ones of a depressed person, dealing with the symptoms can be both frightening and frustrating.

Substance Abuse Counseling VS. Addiction Studies

It is common for someone to receive a dual diagnosis and to undergo treatment for both conditions at the same time. Some forms of treatment can overlap, but there will also be separate interventions and therapies as well. For example, some people may feel detached from the experience, as though they are observing things rather than experiencing them.

Important Skills for Substance Abuse Counselors

When a mental health problem goes untreated, the substance abuse problem usually gets worse. And when alcohol or drug abuse increases, mental health problems usually increase too. What is the difference between a substance abuse counselor and someone who works in addictions studies? A substance abuse counselor treats patients who struggle with a chemical dependency disorder. This chemical dependency can be an addiction to any kind of illegal drug, controlled substance, or alcohol. The substance abuse counselor sees, diagnoses, and provides treatment to patients who suffer from addiction disorders.

First, make sure you thoroughly research the programs that interest you. Ask current and former students about their experiences and opinions. This will give you a better feel for the culture of the program itself. Most importantly, ask about their pre-doctoral internship match rates. The National Counselor Examination (NCE) is a 200-item multiple-choice examination that must be completed within 255 minutes.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Addiction counselors create tailored treatment plans for each person. They may provide individual counseling, lead group therapy sessions, and intervene during crises. Sometimes this may involve being on-call and working weekends, evenings, and nights.