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You are here: Text Only Home > Intermediary Role: Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor
 
Welcome Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counselor
 

“Mood disorders, or mood disorders in combination with alcohol and drug abuse, are by far the most common psychiatric conditions associated with suicide.   In fact, some type of depression is almost ubiquitous in those who kill themselves”

 

“In its severe forms, depression paralyzes all of the otherwise vital forces that make us human, leaving instead a bleak, despairing, desperate, and deadened state.   It is a barren, fatiguing and agitated condition; one without hope or capacity…”

Jamison, K. R. (1999). Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide. New York, NY: Vintage Books: 103-104.

Introduction

Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) counselors work with clients who are abusing, dependent, and/or addicted to licit and illicit substances.   Additionally, AOD counselors work with clients who often have a dual diagnosis (Reference 1). AOD counselors need to recognize the risk associated with drug use for suicidal behavior in order to keep clients safe from self-harm.

 

The facts

Individuals with alcohol use disorders complete about 25 percent of all suicides in the United States.   Alcohol inebriation is indicated in up to 64 percent of suicide attempts.   Abuse of illicit substances also is associated with a significant increase in the rate of suicide (Reference 2).

Substance use, abuse, and dependence are important factors associated with suicide and AOD counselors should incorporate this fact into their assessment and treatment of clients.


References for AOD counselor Introduction

What to look for as an AOD counselor
Learning about suicide and the association of suicide with alcohol and other drug use can aid AOD counselors in proactively preventing suicide in their agency and community.

What to do to help as an AOD counselor

Through proper awareness, assessment, and intervention AOD counselors can better address the needs of their clients and keep their clients safe from self-harm.

What education is available for an AOD counselor

Find education resources like continuing education opportunities and publications that can help AOD counselors to increase their current understanding of suicide and suicide prevention.

What researchers are doing to impact AOD counselors
Find research resources like statistics and research institutions that can help AOD counselors to keep their knowledge of suicide and suicide prevention current.

What other resources are available for AOD counselors
Find additional suicide prevention resources that do not “fit” into a general category to continue to advance the learning and resources available for AOD counselors.
 

What to look for
>Detection Resources
>>Associated Factors
>>Protective Factors
>>Facts  
>>Myths
>>How to relate
>>Common concerns
>Professional resources
>>Professional screening tools
>>Suicide risk screening tools
What to do to help
>Treatment Resources
>>What to do in an emergency  
>>Suicide hotlines
>>Facilities
>>Mental health providers
>>Legal considerations
>>Standard treatments for suicide ideation
>>What to do as a survivor of suicide
>Professional Resources
>>Clinical guidance 
>>Ethical and Legal guidelines
>>Assessment information
>>Medication information
>>What to do as a professional survivor of suicide
What education is available 
>Education Resources
>>Online educational tools  
>>Organizations
>>Courses for credit
>>Publications
>Professional Resources
>>Higher education   
>>Organizations
>>Courses for credit
>>Continuing education
>>Conferences
>>Publications
What researchers are doing
>Research Resources
>>Research news
>>Statistics
>>Clinical trials
>>Grants/RFP
>>Institutions
>Professional Resources
>>Research news

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Last Updated: July 2004