If you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you need treatment to get back your life. However, not all professionals have the same qualifications for helping with the recovery process. Therefore, to find out the answer to your question, “What is an addiction specialist?” you need to understand the field of recovery and what requirements practitioners in this sector need to have.
Find out more about addiction rehab programs. Call us today at 866.957.7885.
What Is an Addiction Specialist? What Requirements Does One Have?
Addiction specialists are doctors who focus on diagnosing, evaluating, treating, and preventing addiction in people. According to the American Board of Preventative Medicine (ABPM), addiction specialists must have a medical degree, medical license, and certification from the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). The ABPM administers certification for addiction specialists for the ABMS.
In some cases, addiction specialists may be psychiatrists. Those in this category hold certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) instead of from a medical specialist organization.
For a doctor to be an addiction specialist, they must have undergone years of practical training and academic education.
What Does an Addiction Specialist Do?
As a licensed physician or psychiatrist, addiction specialists focus on how the dependency affects the body and how to help you recover as quickly as possible. Addiction specialists help all those affected by a person’s addiction. For example, many addiction specialists will assist the family of someone undergoing recovery treatment as they help the person with a drug or alcohol addiction.
Why Does an Addiction Specialist Need a Medical Degree?
If you want to know, “What is an addiction specialist?” be aware that you are finding out about a medical specialty. When it comes to addictions, experts today recognize that these problems are not moral failings but cause physical changes in your brain and body. To help with recovery, you need a medical doctor trained in how substance abuse affects your mind and body.
Abuse of drugs and alcohol causes numerous changes in the body, and when you suddenly stop some of these substances, you will need medical care to avoid severe side effects of withdrawal. Protecting your body from the dangers of abruptly quitting is a major reason that addiction specialists need medical licenses.
When you visit a recovery center, you may need to undergo medically supervised detox. However, even after detox, during long-term residential treatment programs, you will still need medical supervision for your physical and mental health. Medical support in addition to mental health counseling can help you to achieve lasting results from the treatment.
What Is An Addiction Specialist To Your Recovery Plan?
If you or a loved one has a drug or alcohol addiction, you cannot let the issue continue to ruin your life and those around you. Addiction specialists at a recovery center, like San Antonio Recovery Center, work with a team of experts dedicated to helping you to regain your life. Some of the services you will find at this location include the following:
Women’s Drug Addiction Rehab Program
A women’s drug addiction rehab program provides treatment for women suffering from substance abuse. The program combines individual and group therapy, educational activities, life skills training, and other therapeutic activities to help women overcome their addiction and work toward a healthier lifestyle.
Inpatient Drug Rehab Program
An inpatient drug rehab program involves 24-hour care and supervision in a residential setting. The goal of an inpatient drug rehab program is two-fold. One, to help individuals overcome their addiction. Two, to help them learn how to lead a healthy, productive life free from drugs and alcohol.
12-Step Program
A 12-step program helps individuals identify and understand their addiction, find support in their recovery journey, and work toward a life free from drugs and alcohol. It’s a series of steps that individuals follow to achieve and maintain sobriety, including:
- Admitting powerlessness over their addiction
- Identifying the underlying causes of their substance abuse
- Making amends with those they have harmed
90-Day Treatment Program
A 90-day treatment program provides individuals with the tools and resources they need to achieve long-term sobriety. The length of the program allows participants to address underlying issues that may have contributed to their substance abuse and provides them with the opportunity to practice new behaviors that will support their recovery in the long term.
Intensive Outpatient Program
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides individuals with the support they need to overcome an addiction without requiring them to stay in a residential setting. This type of program is often used for individuals who have a stable home environment and strong support system but need more intensive treatment than what is offered in traditional outpatient programs.
Aftercare Treatment Program
Aftercare treatment programs provide individuals with continued support and guidance as they transition back into their everyday lives following a rehab program. These programs typically involve:
- Weekly or monthly check-ins
- Group counseling sessions
- Individual therapy visits
- Other activities that focus on the long-term aspects of recovery
The Time To Get Help Is Now
Addiction to drugs or alcohol will ruin your life, steal your health, and reduce your bank account. Stop the process now. While getting help is hard, staying addicted will make your life even more difficult. There is no better time than now to pick up the phone and call us at San Antonio Recovery Center at 866.957.7885 or contact us online. Stop putting your life on hold. Get the help that you need now before it’s too late.
