Knowing your expertise: SUD & Mental Health.

If you find yourself searching for the right career path its worth considering career in the addiction recovery field which are in great demand, often because the rate of turnover can be high.

PSYCHOLOGIST, PSYCHIATRIST & ADDICTION COUNSELLOR:

The primary job that comes to mind when people think of recovery is the addiction counselor. Some addiction counselors are licensed psychiatrists and others have a master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in substance abuse or addiction. Both psychologists and psychiatrists are employed by hospitals, treatment facilities or work in private practice, and each play a specific role in the addiction recovery process.

Psychologists focus on understanding the cause of addiction through talk therapy and help those in recovery learn coping strategies for dealing with drug cravings, recognizing triggers and avoiding relapse. Psychologists also oversee group therapy sessions and provide family counseling to help repair relationships between the addict and their family members.

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed medical school, spent one year as interns and three years as residents in the assessment and treatment of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are able to diagnose any underlying mental illness that is contributing to or causing the addiction and prescribe medications to aid in their patients’ recovery.

SOCIAL WORKERS:

Sometimes referred to as “case managers,” these professionals are licensed in their field and generally possess master’s degrees. Addiction social workers provide support to the families of addicted individuals, develop treatment plants and do assessments and offer counseling to both individuals and groups. Social workers are also part of teams made of up physicians, nurses, psychologists and others who develop appropriate treatment plans for patients struggling with addiction.

NURSES AND DETOX SUPPORT SPECIALISTS:

Nurses are often the most in-demand profession in the rehabilitation sector. Nurses are needed during patient intake to monitor vitals and assist with lab tests. They perform regular drug screenings on patients and oversee them during detox.

Nurses are important to the detox process as they monitor patients and ensure they are comfortable and safe. The overall detox process is also overseen by detox support specialists. These specialists are generally consulting physicians who monitor the process from start to finish.