Melissa B. Hager Northport AL 35473

As an addiction specialist, you will help individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations learn more about the causes of addiction, and how it can be overcome. Your job is to help patients develop the skills they need to live an alcohol or substance abuse free life. Addiction therapy provides information on reducing drug or alcohol use, staying sober, and staying committed to their recovery. With various evidence-based treatment strategies, an addiction therapist can help people to identify and treat triggers, cope with cravings, recognize signs of relapse, and strengthen their motivation to succeed in their recovery.

Alcoholism is a disease of the brain and not a personality trait or preference. It is the result of biological, psychological and social factors that lead to substance abuse. People who drink too much, who repeatedly use illegal drugs, or who are depressed or anxious often become addicted to alcohol. Alcoholism affects both men and women. People who smoke cigarettes also have problems with alcoholism. The symptoms of this condition include irritability, poor judgment, emotional instability, insomnia, loss of control, social isolation, poor relationships with family and friends, and criminal behavior, among others.

Because everyone is different, addiction therapy and alcohol rehabilitation vary accordingly. Your skills as a therapist will be tested as you work with each patient. This is true no matter what kind of addiction you are treating. You must also be aware of the limitations of treatment that may occur. The type of treatment you choose will also be influenced by the type of disorder you are treating. A psychiatrist, for instance, can treat depression, an addiction specialist can treat alcoholism. It may be possible that you would need to combine treatment methods in order to achieve the best results.