An addiction specialist assists people in overcoming their addictions and leading more fulfilling lives. This type of specialist may work in a treatment facility or in a prevention program, and they may work with people of all ages. This type of expert may provide therapy to both patients and their loved ones, and counseling is often a large part of the job. When an addict — and his or her various caregivers — try to break an addiction, an addiction specialist usually creates a treatment plan for them to follow. Working with others to coordinate a patient’s treatment is a common part of an addiction specialist’s job, as a collaborative effort among various specialists is usually thought to be the best way to help an addict recover.
Counseling people who have addictions, whether to drugs, eating disorders, gambling, or any other substance or behavior, is one of the most important jobs of an addiction specialist. Because patients are typically offered this type of help while still giving in to their addiction and after they have begun recovery, there are usually several stages of counseling. While addicts frequently require assistance in taking the first steps toward recovery, they may also require assistance in returning to a routine that includes work, school, and healthy interpersonal relationships. Addiction specialists usually assist their patients in adjusting to life after treatment. Individual or group counseling sessions led by addiction specialists may include family members who need assistance dealing with an addicted loved one.
Because patients require a comprehensive treatment plan created by an expert, this type of specialist frequently works behind the scenes. The treatment plan is often guided by the counseling sessions between an addiction specialist and a patient, as they allow the specialist to determine what kind of help the addict requires. In addition, most addiction specialists will review the patient’s medical records and interview doctors and family members in order to develop a treatment plan. They usually have to record the plan so that it can be accessed by other practitioners involved in the patient’s care. As the patient’s condition improves or deteriorates, the addiction specialist will need to adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
Most addiction specialists are expected to collaborate with other medical professionals treating the patient in order to provide the best possible care. They may, for example, meet with nurses and social workers to discuss the patient’s progress, which can help modify the treatment plan as needed and assist doctors if medical treatment is required as a result of the addictive behavior. Furthermore, some addicts face legal issues, which means their addiction specialist will need to maintain contact with any probation officers or court representatives involved in the case, as they will most likely want to know if the addict is receiving treatment.