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Addiction to Drugs/substance abuse counselor

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Expert: - 2/9/2011


Question
I am a former nurse, and I am a recovering addict (opiates). While in rehab I saw that many of the counselors were actually recovering addicts/alcoholics themselves who had gotten training in the field. Because of a record for Rx forgery I can no longer work as a nurse, and background checks make it difficult to get other jobs. I would love to explore becoming a CSAC and would like information on how much training is needed, etc. I'm in my fifties so I don't want to commit to a 4-year program. I feel my experience in 12-step programs as well as years of nursing gives me great patience and desire to help others. Please advise. I live in the USA.

Answer
Ho Tricia,

There are no official course in the type of Psychonutritional Counselling I do. The best is to familiarise yourself with the connection between mood disorders (including addiction) and nutrition. See;

My Career as a Nutritional Psychotherapist at:
http://psychonutrionaltherapy.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-career-as-nutritional-psyc...

_______________________________________________
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

Addiction to Drugs

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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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