Oftentimes, clients seeking treatment at Red Oak Recovery ask us, “What is an addiction specialist?” They want to know if there is something special in the education of these individuals and if they are actual physicians or counselors that are eligible to practice. The answer is a resounding, “Yes!” An addiction specialist has more training than a general counselor or medical professional. To learn more about our addiction treatment center, contact Red Oak Recovery today.
What Is An Addiction Specialist?
An addiction specialist is someone who has the training to help them understand the complicated subject of addictions. Our addiction treatment staff members include physicians, nurses, counselors, and psychiatrists who have furthered their education to add addiction-specific knowledge to what they have already learned. People compare them to someone who has a degree or license in general medicine but took further classes in surgery, so they can do actual operations and not merely diagnose a disorder. Several organizations govern this specialty, and an individual has to take a particular set of classes and pass specific tests to qualify to take the licensing exam. Once all the criteria for training have been met, and the certification exam passed, a person can then earn the right to add Addiction Specialist to their resume.
What Does an Addiction Specialist Do?
What is an addiction specialist trained to do in a rehab setting? The role of the addiction specialist is mainly counseling, but they can and do perform many functions. The addiction specialist is an essential part of your treatment team and will work closely with all other members of the team to help you get the best possible treatment for your individual needs. They will work with you in individual counseling, help design a treatment plan for your success during and after rehab, and work with family members who have been affected by your addiction.
A physician with this specialty will be able to supervise a medical detox program. They can also prescribe the medications to help ease your withdrawal symptoms. A psychiatrist with an addiction specialty will be able to evaluate your mental health needs. If this is the case, you may need dual diagnosis treatment. They can also prescribe appropriate treatment that will enhance your addiction treatment rather than clash with it.
Why Working With an Addiction Specialist is Important
Addiction is a disease of the brain. It is a complicated subject. A person who does not understand how addiction affects a person won’t always be able to help you. You don’t make your decision to get clean lightly. Therefore, you deserve to have someone on your treatment team who can understand your needs. With this certification, you know someone qualified to evaluate and treat you is working with you. They won’t make decisions they hope will be useful. They will be able to take proven knowledge and apply it in a way that is known to work.
Get Treatment Today
At Red Oak Recovery, your treatment is important to us. That is why you will be in the hands of an addiction specialist. If you are still wondering what is an addiction specialist, our intake staff will help you. You wouldn’t trust your heart condition to a foot doctor. Therefore, don’t trust your addiction treatment to someone who isn’t trained in the specifics of addiction. At Red Oak, our addiction specialists address a variety of addictions, including:
- Heroin addiction
- Cocaine addiction
- Opioid addiction
- Prescription drug addiction
- Benzo addiction
Contact Red Oak Recovery 866.457.7590 now to discuss how we can help you or your loved one gain relief from addiction and live a healthier, more productive life.
