help - would like information/opinions on what makes a great addictions rn :)

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ha guess i wrote it all in the title but.....anybody have advice / opinion on what would make a good substance abuse registered nurse. i have never had a problem in this area and i will study up on it very thoroughly but can i be effective without having experienced issues in the area?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE :)

qualities? knowledge needed? cutting technology? etc

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Yes you can!

I have worked in substance abuse effectively and never had a problem with it myself

Go to open AA NA and other 12 step meetings

Read about motivational interviewing and stages of change

Read about relapse prevention

Read memoirs of addiction and recovery

I have alcoholism in my family and found having my own therapy very helpful to understand how I was affected by it.

When people ask me if I am in recovery I say "no but I have worked a lot with substance abusers"

Read about drugs of abuse and how people use them

Etc. there is a lot to it and there is a lot known now.

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thank you Psychcns :) are you a cns? :)

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Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

Yes, I am a psych cns. since 1993. I have also worked in detoxes as an RN. Addictions have a huge psych component, and there is the craving which I think is biological..

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