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Addiction to Drugs/Addictions Counsellor

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Expert: - 3/16/2010


Question
I'm thinking of going to school to become a addicition counsellor. I was wondering if you could give me some insight on what i could expect in this field? I really want to help people and help make a positive change in there life. Addicition seems to be one of those problems that is hard for people to let go and change. Any advice in the field would be very helpful, i want to be 100% sure that this is what i want to do with my life before i get into it.
Thanks

Answer
Hi stacy,

Addiction counselling is one of the most difficult areas of counselling, but if you master that, you will also master other areas of counselling such as in depression, anxiety attacks, OCD, PTSD. I started off as an Addiction Counsellor. See:
MY CAREER AS A NUTRITIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST at:
http://psychonutrionaltherapy.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-career-as-nutritional-psyc...

Most training in addiction counselling fail because in my opinion they overlook and neglect the nutritional aspects of addiction. I see addiction as a disease, whereas most counsellor in that area see this as primarily a "psychological" problem (confusing symptoms for causes).

Please read my book "Getting off the Hook" available on the internet.

Please read:

Drug Addiction is a Nutritional Disorder at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/drug_addictions_nutritional_disorder.htm...

I you want to be a counsellor - addiction or in any other field - I believe you need to study biochemistry in addiction to psychology. Read:

Why Alcoholics Drink? at
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/WAD.html
Alcoholism (Addiction) is a Treatable Disease at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/alcoholism_treatable.pdf
Why addiction to Marijuana? at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/addiction.html
Drug Addiction is a Nutritional Disorder at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/drug_addictions_nutritional_disorder.htm...
The Anxiety & Hypoglycemia Relief Institute at:

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman

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Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist

Expertise

I have a degree in Psychology from the Sydney University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Nutrition. I am also the author of “GETTING OFF THE HOOK” which deals with the nutritional and psychological treatment of personality disorders. It is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. I am interested in the relationship between nutrition and behaviour, and as a Probation ans Parole Officer facilitated groups for offenders, many of whom were alcoholics and drug addicts, sex offenders or compulsive gamblers, as well as the whole gamut of “personality disorders”. I am also the ex-editor of the Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia Newsletter, a quarterly publication dealing with hypoglycemia and related health problems. Its web site, together with a shortened course of PSYCHOTHERAPY can be visited at: http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Experience

Nutritional Psychotherapist

Organizations
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au

Publications
GETTING OFF THE HOOK
which is freely available on the internet at Google Book Search. Various articles in Hypoglycemic Health Association Newsletter

Education/Credentials
BA(Psych) (Sydney University) Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr (International Academy of Nutrition)

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