Tag: Milton

As the number of substance abusers worldwide continues to grow, the number and type of treatment providers are also on the rise. With the help of the American Society of addiction medicine (ASAM) and their specifically designed criteria, different levels of care can be provided to substance users and abusers through ASAM courses. You will be offered individualized treatment planning, readily available access to help and services, and ongoing reassessment while under ASAM care. By the end of the course, facilitators will be able to match treatment settings, interventions, and services to each individual’s particular problems as well as often changing treatment needs. You can trust that ASAM courses advocate for individualized, assessment-driven treatment and flexible use of services for their students.

Because patients can become lost when the help or treatment they need is not immediately available, ASAM courses also advocate for a system in which readily available medicine and therapy are encompassed. This is why ASAM courses work great for patients in outpatient care. As more patients enroll in classes to become ASAM students, the waiting lists for residential treatment have decreased, thus improving access to care.

The philosophy behind ASAM classes is that treatment can attend to multiple needs of an individual, not just their alcohol or drug use. For this to be effective, ASAM courses offer ways to address any associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. We can see the importance of incorporating multidimensional assessment and treatment into these courses through these six dimensions. This allows students to use their treatment to extend beyond the simple resolution of observable habits to achieve overall healthier functioning. Students respond to treatment through new insights, attitudes, and behaviors that stabilize their condition and alter its course.

One of the many benefits of enrolling in an ASAM course is knowing that you will receive an individualized treatment plan. A consultation is done with the student to help create an individualized treatment plan. The plan can then be used as a guide to tailor to that individual’s needs. A program like this will be based on a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment of the patient and a comprehensive evaluation of their family as well. The plan goes over any problems (obstacles that hinder recovery, skills or values deficits, dysfunction), strengths (readiness to change, positive and supportive social community, strong connection to a source of support), priorities ( treatment and risk obstacles outlined and arranged according to severity), goals (guided by realistic, achievable, short term and long term resolutions), methods, and a timetable set in advance for follow-through interviews and reviews that promote accountability. Another benefit to an individualized treatment plan is its ability to help facilitate the measurement of progress in the ASAM course and after graduation.

When things start to change and affect your mental health, it is not always easy to pinpoint the problem or its source. You might start feeling alone in the world and without anyone available to listen to your thought process. Mental Health evaluations are offered when situations like this occur. Evaluations help doctors, counselors, psychologists, or licensed professionals better understand how individuals think, reason, feel, and remember. This is just the beginning; a mental health professional can diagnose several mental health disorders through a series of questions and tests. Co-occurring substance use disorder is often associated with mental health, which is an addition to determining if a mental health condition is present. Depression, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse and addictive disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders are some of the most commonly diagnosed.

During your mental health evaluation, you might find yourself working with different professionals specialized in mental health, depending on where you choose to do your assessment. Psychiatrists can diagnose and treat mental health disorders along with the ability to prescribe medication. Psychologists carry doctoral degrees and sometimes medical degrees that allow for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders without the privileges of prescribing medicine unless they are carrying a special license. Licensed social workers can also work with you as they are schooled and trained in mental health. Even though they cannot prescribe medication, they often work with providers that do. Licensed professional counselors can offer counseling on various mental health issues and work with providers that prescribe medicine.

No matter the type of evaluator you come across, you can expect mental health evaluations to be conducted in a professional manner and setting. There is no need to be nervous, as the purpose of the assessment is to help your licensed professional understand your mental health needs to determine proper treatment planning geared towards a path to recovery. The earlier you can catch a mental health situation,  the better to prevent it from getting worse or occurring at all. An unusual drop of functionality and daily activities, once noticed, can raise a lot of concern to family members or loved ones. Along with that, some people experience changing sleeping patterns and eating habits. You also have a loss of desire, mood changes, paranoia, and feelings of disconnection from surroundings as signs and symptoms that indicate the need for a mental health evaluation.

It is not required, but if an individual would like to prepare for an evaluation, it would be good to think about the reasons for the assessment. Think about the thoughts and feelings you had days and weeks before the evaluation, write them down, and bring them to the appointment. This is an excellent way to ensure that you don’t forget to talk about anything in the evaluation. You might think about how often the symptoms last, how long they occur, when they first started, and even things that make the symptoms worse. The more information you give during an evaluation, the better.

Each year there are more than ten thousand traffic accidents and fatalities that involve the use of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this number will continue to rise without proper awareness and resolution. The usual punishment for drunk driving would be time served in jail or prison but many court systems today are shifting their focus towards providing treatment options after a drunk driving arrest. Studies show that treatment and substance abuse education can be very effective in reducing the rates of repeated DUI’s. Instead of treating impaired driving like any other crime, it is now being treated as an opportunity to change a person’s behavior for the better.

Where can I register for DUI school?

Each state has its own range of treatment opportunities and legal requirements when it comes to getting drunk drivers off the road and into treatment. As part of the legal consequences for committing a drinking and driving offense, you can expect some sort of alcohol education or treatment services to be added to your checklist. For the majority of people who have family, work, and other obligations this is a very viable option compared to spending time behind bars. If taken seriously these classes can help lessen the severity of a drunk driving conviction and help with any underlying substance abuse issues that may or may not have been the cause of said conviction. Welcome to DUI School.

Even for offenders who are lucky enough to have their DUI charge dropped down to reckless driving, substance abuse education at a DUI school can still be imposed. These state-approved DUI programs combine evaluations, group counseling, and individual counseling all into one program. Videos, lectures, and group discussions can also be used to tackle ongoing problems in the driving community.

Which DUI School is right for me?

Before the education portion of DUI schooling can begin, an initial evaluation is done to assess the goals of the program and the needs of an individual. The initial evaluation, conducted by a state-certified substance abuse specialist, can be used to determine if an individual is a good candidate for a drug and alcohol education program. In some cases, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) may be a better option for those who are found to have a very severe substance abuse problem associated with alcohol. At the time of the evaluation, an individual may be required to provide a copy of their driving record, criminal, history, and arrest report. An alcohol assessment or drug screening and questionnaire may also be required to assess the individual’s history with alcohol and illegal drug use. Upon completion of this extensive evaluation, you and your evaluator will know exactly how much time in DUI school would be sufficient for your learning and what level of education best suits your needs.

What is a Risk Reduction Program?

A DUI- Risk Reduction course is the most common type of DUI school. It is an intervention program required by law for people convicted of Driving Under the Influence (DUI), possession of illegal drugs, underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle, or Boating Under the Influence (BUI). The first part of this course is the assessment component. Participants will be given a 130-question comprehensive screening instrument used to evaluate the extent of an individual’s alcohol and drug use and its impact on driving. After completion of the assessment component, the intervention component is administered. This component consists of a 20-hour course comprising several sessions over several days. You will not be alone during this portion of DUI school since sessions are delivered in a group environment. The intervention component is designed to offer therapeutic education and peer group counseling dealing with alcohol and drug use and its effect on driving. Group counseling sessions are set up to help individuals understand the common problems and issues other individuals may face in association to driving under the influence. This is a proven way to help an individual acknowledge substance abuse problems or triggers that may go unnoticed in their own life. Videos and lectures can also be used to help participants see the bigger picture when it comes to the effects of alcohol on the body and brain.  Students must complete both parts to receive a Certificate of Completion

What will I learn in DUI School?

DUI school goes over and emphasizes the importance of creating better life decisions and avoiding situations in the future that may lead to a recurring DUI incident. Different scenarios are presented to students as they are guided toward the correct and responsible choice. For example, the consumption of alcohol is not allowed and is never condoned to students, but the importance of drinking responsibly is a good lesson that can be taught in programs like this. Students are taught to have backup plans so they don’t drive while under the influence and they are also informed about the dangers of binge drinking. As you move along and progress in your DUI school you will hit many major points and highlights. Counselors and facilitators will also talk about identifying triggers, surrounding yourself with the right people, and the grave repercussions of future DUI offenses. Many attendees may be in a rush to get out of DUI school because of how much classes can cost out of pocket and the time it consumes but when an individual focuses on how much information can be attained a greater change can be made to make our roads a safer place to drive.

DUI convictions don’t just go away in the blink of an eye, they have grave ramifications that can last for years. Even after paying fines and meeting all requirements of the court a DUI conviction can still undermine your future opportunities and haunt you for years. The best thing you can do for yourself or a loved one is taking full advantage of what DUI schools have to offer before it no longer becomes an option. They exist to educate offenders about the severe and long-term consequences of DUI in hope that they will think twice the next time they are impaired and get behind the wheel.

Being charged with a DUI is not only a crime; it is also an easy way to lose out on many opportunities in life. Driving on the road and finding jobs that require you to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle can become a hassle. DUI charges can remain on your record for several years. Unfortunately, many states have adopted prohibition policies for driving under the influence of alcohol.

This means that if found guilty, individuals can face severe penalties and be prohibited from participating in certain activities by law. At the same time, state and local governments have also decided to take a more proactive and compassionate approach to DUI offenders by allowing them to get the help they need to break the habit of drinking and driving. One such proactive approach requires DUI offenders to have a DUI evaluation at their own expense.

It can be intimidating to hear that you have to do a DUI evaluation if you are already dealing with legal issues, but there is no need to worry. The DUI evaluation is set up to help with DUI cases, so it’s always best to be truthful about any habits that pertain to driving under the influence. Any form of disloyalty during the assessment can result in penalties.

As with other medical consultations, the DUI assessment lasts from 1 hour to 90 minutes. During the evaluation, you will speak with a substance abuse specialist who will ask you several questions about your current and past habits. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire, such as an alcohol use inventory. During the evaluation, you will be asked about your personal, work, family, and health history. This information will be used to find out if alcohol or drug use has affected these areas of your life.

A mental health screening is also a normal part of the DUI assessment as a means of finding out if you have any underlying mental health conditions that affect your ability to avoid drinking and driving. Once collected, the evaluator will review it and other possible evidence of your arrest. At the end of the evaluation, all information and results are gathered in one report. You may be referred for additional treatment if you are found to be at risk of having another substance abuse occurrence or DUI charge.

Getting a visa or green card can be highly time-consuming and hard to accomplish. Many people attempting to go through this process are blocked or rejected due to inadmissibility. There are rules and regulations set forth by the Immigration and Nationality Act that land many immigrants in the “inadmissible,” category meaning they are not permitted by law to enter or remain in the United States. The primary types of inadmissibility are part of but not limited to the following:

● Drug addictions, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, a lack of vaccinations, extreme physical or mental disorders which can cause harm, etc.
● Drug crimes that occur in the U.S. or other countries, morally devoid criminal activity, criminal activity that results in five or more years of jail, prostitution and exploitation, sex crimes and trafficking, or money laundering.
● You are falsely claiming U.S. citizenship, entering the country illegally as a stowaway, the abuse of a student visa, etc.
● You are falsifying/misrepresenting information to obtain a visa or committing fraud while in the visa application process.
● Prior removals from the United States, threats to national security, lack of labor certification, public charges, and several other miscellaneous categories.

When found inadmissible for any reason, it is almost impossible to gain access to the United States. Immigration hardship waivers are one way to tackle this problem. Once an individual has been found inadmissible, the USCIS or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will look at and review the matter if an immigration hardship waiver is submitted. These waivers can only be used if the individual trying to gain access to the U.S. has a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, spouse, parent, child, or qualifying relative that lives in the United States. The waiver states that this qualifying relative will suffer from a level of extreme hardship if the individual trying to gain access is not permitted.
In some instances, the hardship waiver is not enough evidence to convince the USCIS. Appointed attorneys and representatives will more than likely ask applicants to meet with a psychologist to have an immigration hardship evaluation done on their behalf. This type of evaluation documents the various hardships that the qualifying relative will face if their family member can not be with them. Hardship waivers can also be paired with an evaluation if an applicant faces deportation.
Just like any other medical consultation or evaluation, the process can be anxiety-provoking if never done before. The initial interview between you and close family members will help the evaluator understand important psychological, medical, and social background information, as well as your current level of cognitive and psychological functioning. Immigration hardship evaluations are extensive as they aim to investigate the many aspects of an individual’s life so that a proper assessment can be made. Being deported or having family members who can’t enter the country due to being inadmissible can be very overwhelming and can have drastic effects on multiple lives when it occurs. This assessment not only helps in that aspect but is also made to reconcile what could turn out to be a hazardous and even terrifying situation for whoever would be left behind in the wake of such an action.
Effective immigration hardship evaluations should always include a detailed personal history of the person being examined along with the waiver applicant and family members. It should thoroughly and accurately detail the patient’s unique circumstances that make them vulnerable to hardship. Along with that, the evaluation should describe the emotional impact of both separation and re-location. In other words, it must discuss the emotional and psychological effects on the qualifying relative if they become separated from the applicant due to inadmissibility and the psychological and emotional impact on the qualifying relative if they were to relocate abroad to be with the applicant.

If necessary, your evaluator will administer psychological tests and questionnaires to help figure out specific areas where psychological difficulties may occur due to hardship. This part of the evaluation is essential because the USCIS can discount the credibility of a psychological diagnosis if there is not enough evidence or details to support it. The review must give a clear summary of the patient’s psychological and medical history, including the length of time the patient has suffered from any disorders and medical illnesses; any treatments received, including surgery; and the medications the patient has been prescribed. Discussing a history of the previously diagnosed psychological condition (s) will go a long way towards establishing credibility.

After completing an evaluation, the information gathered results in a compiled assessment that can be given to an attorney to be utilized in court. At AACS Counseling, our team consists of certified professional health counselors and psychologists who have extensive training in immigration hardship matters and are ready to answer any questions and concerns.

An anger management program will help you learn how to recognize the signs of anger and take action to calm yourself down and deal effectively with the situation.

There is a big misconception that anger management programs are trying to keep you from getting angry or suppress it. If you know how to express your anger correctly, you can do so with anger management without having to hide this normal healthy emotion. Along with teaching appropriate expressions, teaching behavioral skills is an important part of anger management.

You can learn how to manage anger on your own using books or other resources, but for many people, the most effective way is to attend an anger management class or visit a mental health professional. Anger management classes or anger management counseling can be done in groups or alone with a  partner or colleague attending the class. The setup, duration, and a number of sessions will vary depending on the program and your specific needs.

Anger management courses or counseling can be short or lasting for weeks or months, depending on the circumstances. Improving your anger control has several benefits and can be a great addition to your daily practice. You will have more control as you face life’s challenges. At the end of the day, being able to express yourself confidently means you will be able to hold back your anger without feeling frustrated.