What is an Addiction Specialist?

• Help individuals overcome addictions to drugs or alcohol
• Counsel addicts and their families
• Work in group or individual settings with each addict
• They screen, assess, and diagnose alcohol and drug addictions
• Work in a stressful, yet rewarding environment

• Bachelors Degree
• Internship in the field
• Volunteer work in the field
• Master's Degree (not necessary, but recommended)
• Rule 25 certification
• Licensed by the state

        1. Have you ever tried to cut down on your drinking?

        2. Have you ever felt annoyed when someone talked to you about your drinking?

        3. Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

        4.Have you ever used alcohol in the morning to settle yourself down.

   (Two or more affirmative answers indicate probable alcoholism.)
 
 

• Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive, relapsing brain disease.
• Ninety five percent of alcoholics die of alcoholism.
• Fifty percent of alcoholics stay sober for the next year of if they go through treatment.
• Ninety percent of alcoholics stay sober for the next year if they go through treatment, regularly attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and go to aftercare once a week.

        Physical/Emotional                                                                                                                Links to Physical/Emotional Treatment
Feelings of sadness and guilt that persist                                                                *http://www.prioryhealthcare.co.uk/purinfo.alcodrug.htm
 Neglects eating/malnourished
 Rationalizes drinking                                                                                                            *http://wchsys.org.addictions_treatment.htm
 Physical deterioration
 Increased tolerance
 Blackouts

       Family                                                                                                                                        Links to Family Associated Treatment
  General family chaos
  Friends/family avoided                                                                                                            *http://chroniccare.com/add_family.html
  Devalues personal relationships
  Promises and resolutions fail
  Evasiveness about drinking/using
 

  Behavioral                                                                                                                                        Links to Behavioral Treatment
Changing personal habits such as
  sleeping, eating, hygiene                                                                                      *http://saintmarysreno.com/services/maclean/adult.htm
Personality changes such as becoming
  more passive, withdrawn or irritable                                                                                *http://einstein.edu/behav.bh_ad-wch.html
Grandiose and aggressive behavior
Suicide threats and attempts
Driving under the influence
 

         Social                                                                                                                                                Links to Social Treatment
 Increased social isolation
 Loss of outside interests                                                                                            *http://dekker.com/e/p.pl/1082-6084/033/012/003/abs
 Others disapprove of drinking/using
 Changes in friends/social groups
 Uses to feel comfortable in social  situations
 Preoccupation with using chemicals
 Loss of relationships

     Financial                                                                                                                                       Links to Economic/Financial Treatment
 Limited income
 Financial ruin                                                                                                                    *http://addictions.net/wwwboard/wwwboard.html
 Loss of possessions
 Extensive credit card debts
 

                        Employment
 Absenteeism from work and                                                                                                            Links to Employment Treatment
   commitments
Quits or loses jobs                                                                                                                         (same as Economic/Financial Treatment)
Work and money problems
 Intoxicated at work
Loses ambition and is unable to cope
 with responsibility
 

      Legal                                                                                                                                                Links to Legal Treatment
 Legal problems associated with drug use
Arrests for alcohol or other drug related  charges                                                      *cwhweb.mcmaster.ca/hn/webpage/AD/add.htm
 Involved with probation or parole
                                                                                                       *www.nap.edu/readingroom/records/0309052440.html
 
 
 
 

      Drug-making equipment and paraphenalia                  Bottles of liquor
 
 
 

Telephone Numbers that can Provide Help:
 

 Adolescent Services (815) 399-5351 or (800)383-5351
•             Adult Services (815) 391-1000

•  Chemical Use Assessments (218) 722-4996

• Lake Superior House (218) 729-5441

• St. Luke's Hospital (218) 726-5112

Websites Related to Addiction Specialists:

• http://worldtrans.org/TP/TP1/TP1-128.html
• http://webhome.idirect.com/auroarow/P6.htm
• http://www.amersa.org
• http://www.hazelden.org

BEFORE TREATMENT AND COUNSELING WITH AN
                 ADDICTION SPECIALIST
  B

AFTER TREATMENT
AND COUNSELING!!!!!