Review of Diagnosis | Addiction Counselor Exam Review
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The comprehensive review of addiction counseling covers the diagnosis of substance use and mental health disorders, emphasizing the importance of familiarizing with the DSM and ICD-10 diagnostic tools. The DSM-5 has streamlined substance abuse and dependence into a single 'substance use disorder' diagnosis, with severity classified from mild to severe based on the number of symptoms present. The review highlights the need to distinguish between substance-induced disorders and underlying mental health issues, with concurrent mental disorders being more common than not. Mnemonics such as 'SANS GIN', 'PAST NIGHTS', 'CODE BLUE', 'DISTORT', 'MEAT', 'SPARED', and 'ARMY FINES' are introduced to aid in recognizing symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal from various substances, including alcohol, sedatives, stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis, and opiates. The 'teeter-totter principle' is used to predict withdrawal symptoms, which are often opposite to the effects of substance use. The review also discusses the importance of understanding the context of an individual's substance abstinence, differentiating between early and sustained remission, and considering maintenance therapy or controlled environments. Symptoms of intoxication and withdrawal can vary, especially with polysubstance use, and may not be fully developed upon initial assessment. The review also delves into the symptoms and diagnosis of depression, mania, bipolar disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), providing additional mnemonics like 'DIG Fast' and 'TRAUMA' to recognize these conditions. It is noted that bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression and mania or hypomania, with bipolar 1 including full-blown manic episodes and bipolar 2 involving only hypomanic episodes. The text underscores the body's natural response to perceived threats in GAD and PTSD, with prolonged anxiety leading to a state of constant vigilance and energy depletion. The differentiation between substance-induced depressive symptoms and depression due to other factors is crucial, as untreated depression can hinder recovery from substance abuse. The review is designed to prepare individuals for the addiction counselor exam and to navigate the complexities of mental health diagnosis, with the next video anticipated to continue the discussion.
The comprehensive review of addiction counseling covers the diagnosis of substance use and mental he