Drug and alcohol abuse affects people from all different backgrounds. Addiction can be a cloud over a persons otherwise sunny life. According to the Mayo Clinic, In 1999 over 19.5 million people over the age of 12 used illegal drugs in the United States. Drug and Alcohol counselors work with and for their patients to help heal physical and emotional wounds. Counselors must know the right questions to ask to gather important information that will be essential to the diagnostic and recovery process.
Addictions
Begin the interview by asking your patient to list what drugs they have or currently abuse. This question will help you understand how dangerous the addictions might be in the short- or long-term future. Knowing what type of treatment to provide depends on knowing how physically damaging the addiction may be. Some drug addictions require immediate in-patient detoxification. While other addictions can be combated through a less serious out-patient program. For example, heroin or methamphetamine addiction requires immediate in-patient care. These drugs could kill a user during any use, and the user is constantly at risk of an overdose.
Extent of Drug Abuse
Ask your patient what the extent of the abuse or addiction is. How many times are they using the drug or alcohol? The answer to this question, if truthful, will give you insight on the seriousness of their problem. Once again this will allow you as a counselor to develop the proper rehabilitation program. For example, a patient that abuses alcohol every day of the week should be recommended for in-patient rehabilitation. The extent of their drug use is extremely unhealthy, and only complete detoxification can solve the problem.
Reasons for Abuse
Ask your patient why they feel the need to abuse drugs. This question will give you an idea of the issues behind the drug abuse. By knowing the reasons for abuse you can begin to attempt to rectify the underlying issues fueling the addiction and abuse. Understanding the causal factors of abuse allows the counselor to choose a specific therapy method, or a specific area of emotional trauma to attempt to relieve. Once a casual factor is determined the counselor should attempt to heal the emotion or situation. Parental problems can be relieved through family therapy. Relationship problems can be relieved through couples therapy.
Recognizing a Problem
Patients will sometimes become defiant when faced criticism of their drug or alcohol use. Denial and anger are common emotions drug and alcohol users exhibit when faced with drug rehabilitation. "Peace Health" employs a technique known as C.A.G.E to help users see their problems for themselves. The C.A.G.E strategy consists of asking patients four questions (see words in capital letters). Have you ever felt you should Cut down on your drinking/drug abuse? Do you get Annoyed at criticism of your drinking/drug abuse? Do you ever feel Guilty about your drinking or drug abuse? Do you ever use alcohol or drugs early in the morning as an Eye-opener, or to get you through the day? These questions will help patients understand their own problems, and do so for themselves, without being criticized for their problems. C.A.G.E can be a great strategy for drug and alcohol counselors.
Purpose
The goal of drug and alcohol counselors should be to cure their patient of their affliction and addiction. However, this is not a simple process. Drug addictions are not cured in days or weeks, they are cured over a lifetime. If a patient relapses two weeks after detoxification, the treatment was not successful. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that addiction treatment must help the individual stop using drugs, maintain a drug-free lifestyle, and achieve productive functioning in the family, at work and in society. This statement accurately summarizes the overarching goal of drug rehabilitation and treatment, and thus the goal of drug and alcohol counselors.
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