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Alcohol and Drug Evaluations is an assessment that could be sought for many reasons. Dekalb County courts and several criminal justice partners may request and individual who has a pending or a probationary proceeding to obtain an alcohol and drug evaluation.

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ASAM Level I classes are designed according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine  (ASAM) criteria for addiction Counseling. Specifically, ASAM Level I classes and Substance Abuse Counseling provide individuals with a supportive and instructive environment where they are encouraged to develop deeper insights into the causes and conditions, as well as the effects, of their addictive and abusive behaviors.

It is well understood in the medical and scientific communities that substance abuse is associated with more fundamental or rudimentary cognitive deficits. Some of these deeper issues may be deficits in emotional regulation, diagnosable affective disorders, or a consequence of a myriad of other socio-cultural, environmental and/or genetic factors. Regardless of their specificity, instructors of the ASAM Level classes and substance abuse Counseling are trained to assist clients in beginning to illuminate these underlying psychological issues in order to alleviate the drive to pursue addictive avenues to cope with life stressors. Often, additional resources, such as one-on-one counseling or pharmacological therapy provided by licensed clinicians, may be necessary to support the Counseling process.

Clients are highly recommended to fully participate in this collaborative recovery process in order to gain the greatest benefits. The multi-dimensional approach advocated by the ASAM has led to the development of Counseling resources intended to meet clients at different levels of self-awareness and overall readiness. Regardless of the individual’s level of self-understanding, open-mindedness and willingness to fully engage are critical for long-term abstinence and inner contentment. Our instructors of the ASAM Level I classes and substance abuse Counseling are equipped to facilitate a supportive dialogue and provide the necessary resources to evoke sustainable transformation, which has been shown to reduce recidivism and lead to overall well-being. To register for an ASAM Level I Substance Abuse Counseling class, call 800-683-7745.

Brief Description of an article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Many people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. It is often mistakenly assumed that drug abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will.

In fact, because drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and lead productive lives. Click for the entire article

What Is Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Although the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, the brain changes that occur over time challenge an addicted person’s self-control and hamper his or her ability to resist intense impulses to take drugs.

The Addicted Brain

Fortunately, Counseling are available to help people counter addiction’s powerful disruptive effects. Research shows that combining addiction Counseling medications with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Counseling approaches that are tailored to each patient’s drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse. Click for an entire article on NIDA

Accountability in Cognitive Skills. Why does being accountable for our emotions and behavior require so much effort? In society today the more we get away with reckless and unacceptable behavior the more we continue that behavior.

We trick our minds into accepting the lack of accountability as normal behavior. When our reckless behavior is addressed, we don’t like it. We get angry with everyone that has input in addressing that behavior.

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