Educational Enhancement

01/26/2026

You’ve seen alcohol ruin lives. Maybe it tried to ruin yours.
I’ve been there too.
Woke up shaking. Lied about it. Drank to feel normal.

Told myself it wasn’t that bad—until it was.
Now I help people who are where I used to be.
But that only works if I can see what’s really happening.

This post breaks down what every substance use counselor, peer, or person in recovery should be watching for:

What early symptoms of alcohol use disorder look like
What changes in behavior actually mean
What physical and psychological signs get missed

How to respond without judgment
You can’t help someone if you can’t see the truth.
And they won’t always tell you.
You have to know what to look for.

What signs did you miss in yourself—or someone else—before it got bad?
Tag someone who’s doing this work from the heart.

👉 Read it here:

Explore the complexities of alcohol use disorder and learn about its warning signs and symptoms for effective intervention.

01/26/2026

Crisis doesn’t care about your schedule.

Clients unravel in the lobby, on the phone after hours, halfway through a “routine” session. And in that moment, you don’t have time to flip through a manual or argue over whose job it is.

You need a clear, simple blueprint.

This blog breaks crisis work into:
✅ Golan’s 3 stages: assessment, implementation, termination
✅ Dixon’s 9 practical steps: from “build safety fast” to “follow up like it matters”
✅ Real-world language you can use when someone is shaking, raging, or ready to use
✅ Reminders that your presence is more powerful than clinical perfection

You’re not just de-escalating behavior.
You’re helping someone survive their worst fifteen minutes without picking up.

Hit the post, walk through the stages, and bring one new line, one new step, into your next crisis.

Explore the stages of crisis intervention and learn how to effectively support clients in their most challenging moments.

01/25/2026

What’s the point of helping everyone else if you’re falling apart?

The Counselor Wellness course was built for addiction professionals who give everything they’ve got and end up with nothing left.

In this course, you’ll learn:
• How to spot burnout before it breaks you
• How to build a self-care plan that actually fits your life
• Why your wellness shows up in every session, even when you think it doesn’t
• How to stay present without losing yourself in your clients’ pain

I’ve burned out more than once. I didn’t talk about it. I just kept grinding until I couldn’t show up the way my clients deserved. That’s not sustainable. It’s not smart. And it’s not how I work anymore.

If you’re not taking care of yourself, how are you showing up for them?

The Counselor Wellness training gives you 5 clock hours toward your CASAC or NAADAC renewal.

It gives you permission to take care of the one person your clients count on most. You.

https://educationalenhancement.mykajabi.com/offers/c7cBFY2r/checkout

01/24/2026

Working with a pregnant client who’s using is not “business as usual.”

You’re holding a lot at once
• Real medical risks from opioids, alcohol, and other substances, including NAS and FASDs.
• A client who may be terrified of child welfare, courts, and judgment.
• Systems that don’t always reward honesty or help-seeking.

This new blog walks you through what you need to keep front and center:
✅ The specific risks of opioid, alcohol, and ma*****na use in pregnancy
✅ Why integrated care (prenatal + addiction + mental health) changes outcomes for both parent and baby
✅ Practical harm reduction strategies when abstinence isn’t realistic yet
✅ How to communicate with empathy, reduce stigma, and build enough trust for real disclosure

If you work with people who can become pregnant, this is part of your job description now.
The more you understand this intersection, the more you can protect your clients and their babies.

Read the full article and bring one insight into your next supervision, team meeting, or session.

Explore the link between substance use disorder and pregnancy, focusing on mothers, their babies, opioid use disorder, and harm reduction.

01/23/2026

A lot of clients think alcohol is the “safe” drug.
You have seen how that goes.

Alcohol and the brain changes sleep, mood, memory, and stress response.
Fast.

I wrote a plain language guide for counselors with scripts you can use in session.
Read it here:

Explore how alcohol and the brain interact. Discover the truths about drinking and its effects on mental well-being.

01/20/2026

White-knuckling looks strong on paper.
In the body, it’s a trap.

When clients clamp down on cravings, their breathing tightens, their stress spikes, and their thinking narrows to one goal. Make it stop.
That’s when old patterns feel like the fastest exit.

Urge surfing changes the job.
You teach clients that cravings have a shape.
They rise, peak, and fall.

You help them name the urge, notice body cues without fighting them, and track the wave long enough to see it shift.
That alone can turn panic into possibility.

The best part
This drops into what you already do with MI and CBT.
It’s a concrete, teachable skill for one-to-one sessions and groups.

Full blog post is up now.
https://educationalenhancement-casaconline.com/teaching-clients-to-surf-cravings-instead-of-white-knuckling-them

Teaching Clients to Surf Cravings Instead of White-Knuckling Them gives you a clear, step-by-step way to use mindfulness-based relapse prevention in real sessions with people you serve.

01/20/2026

Holiday stress hits counselors from two directions.
Your clients are struggling.
And your own life is louder too.

This blog breaks down what actually helps during this season:
Name the real stressors instead of pretending you’re fine.
Set boundaries that protect your energy.
Use simple self-care habits you will actually maintain.
Lean on colleagues and your support networks.
Plan for higher client needs without overextending yourself.

You can serve people without sacrificing yourself.
But you have to treat your wellness like part of the job.

Full post is live.

Explore holiday self care for drug counselors to manage stress and maintain mental health during the demanding holiday season.

01/17/2026

You’ve been through hell.
Addiction. Homelessness.
People looking at you like you’ll never change.

I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to wonder if you’ll ever get a shot at something better.
Becoming a substance use counselor wasn’t just a career move for me. It was proof that my past didn’t get to win.
And you don’t need a college degree to start.
With CASAC training online, you can get certified in as little as 3–6 months and be in a job that matters.

Why this works:
High demand in every state
Training you can do from anywhere
Payment plans that make it doable even when money’s tight
Work where your story matters as much as your skills

Your past doesn’t disqualify you. It qualifies you.
What would change for you if you could start a new career by this summer?
Tag someone who needs this.

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01/17/2026

People ask this all the time.
Should I get substance use counselor certification or go to college?

The real answer depends on what you need right now.
Speed. Cost. Flexibility. Career goals. Long-term education plans.

This post lays it out in plain language and helps you choose without shame or pressure.

Read: Who Wins? Substance Use Counselor Certification vs College Education

Explore practical substance use counselor training designed for busy adults seeking quick entry into the field.

01/16/2026

Benzodiazepines are everywhere in practice. Prescribed. Borrowed. Bought. Mixed.

Clients often call them “anxiety meds” and do not realize how fast dependence can form, how ugly withdrawal can get, or how risky it is to mix benzos with alcohol or opioids.

This blog breaks benzodiazepines down in plain language for substance use counselors, including what to screen for, how to talk about safety without shaming, and what to document.

Read it here:

Explore Benzodiazepines and their calming effects. Learn about risks, potential for misuse, and the role of counseling.

01/15/2026

If you want to become a substance use counselor in Florida in 2026, you need real steps, not hype.

This guide breaks down the process in plain language so you can:
Know what credential you are working toward
Understand the training hours and work experience pieces
Avoid wasting time on the wrong path
Start moving with a clear plan

Read the full post here:

Explore how to become a Florida CAC and start your journey as a substance use counselor with the right steps and training.

01/14/2026

AA is one of the most common referrals in substance use treatment.
So you need to understand it well enough to explain it in plain language.

Not as propaganda.
Not as an attack.
Just clean education.

This blog gives you a counselor friendly breakdown of Alcoholics Anonymous, including the basics of meetings, sponsorship, the 12 steps, common misconceptions, and how to support clients who do not connect with AA.

Read it here:

Explore the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in supporting recovery. Understand its 12 Steps and principles for effective counseling.