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SkyeHelps offers substance abuse evaluations, a SMART Recovery group meeting for harm reduction, and substance abuse counseling. We meet in-person at our office in Dahlonega as well as online.
I may have a problem with substances. What next?
You probably landed on this page because your family or the legal system has told you that you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. If the law is not involved yet, congratulations! You made it to treatment before a third party made you go to treatment! Our clinicians can work with you to evaluate and treat the problem. A combination of individual and family counseling as well as SMART Recovery will most likely help you tremendously.
If the law is involved, things get a little more complicated and a lot more expensive. Here is generally what happens when you are charged with your FIRST offence of DUI/DWI in Georgia:
- You go to jail and spend around 72 hours there. You’re license is taken and you are released on bond.
- You are generally required to take a driver safety class and complete it.
- You are generally required to complete a substance evaluation from a licensed professional. The evaluation will include treatment recommendations. The treatment recommendations will depend on the severity of what is found in the evaluation.
- You are generally required to go to court. The judge will use the evaluation to determine any punishments or treatments.
- Common recommendations that are honored by the court often include and combination of the following: community service, driver education classes, individual and/or family counseling, mental health evaluations, medication management, psychiatric treatment, and/or support group meetings such as SMART or AA.
The following sections will address some of the treatments we provide at SkyeHelps: Substance Abuse Evaluations, Substance Abuse Treatment, and SMART Recovery.
Substance Abuse Evaluations
SkyeHelps Counseling & Wellness evaluates individuals for substance abuse & dependency. These evaluations are usually requested or required by court systems for people who have been charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Impaired). Judges often use the clinical evaluations to determine the severity of the problem and course of treatment for recovery.
Substance Abuse Evaluations are incredibly important because they often determine how much a DUI or DWI will cost you in terms of time, money, and energy. The best evaluations are rendered by Clinical Mental Health Practitioners with specialized training and experience in substance use disorders.
At SkyeHelps, all of our clinicians have the education to evaluate for substance use and render a diagnosis and treatment plan that works for you. Our intention is to help you get through the DUI/DWI process in a manner that most benefit your goals, safety, and recovery.
Here is a list of information from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health that may be helpful for you when navigating a DUI/DWI:
- Any person convicted of a DUI in Georgia, or a licensed Georgia driver who gets a DUI in another state must successfully complete a Department of Drivers Services (DDS) approved DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (DUI School) and undergo a Clinical Evaluation and, if recommended, complete a Substance Abuse Treatment Program.
- A Clinical Evaluation is an assessment conducted by a DBHDD approved professional who is certified in the field of addiction.
- Based on their professional findings, the Clinical Evaluator may recommend treatment. Treatment means attendance and participation in the type of program recommended by the Evaluator. Be sure you attend a DBHDD approved treatment program.
- In order to be placed on the Registry of Clinical Evaluators and/or Treatment Providers, the applicant must have one of the following combinations of professional licensure, credentials or experience:
• Physician
• Psychologist
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Advanced Nurse Practitioner with a bachelor’s degree in nursing
• Registered Nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing
Substance Abuse Treatment
In general, clinicians fall in two camps when it comes to conceptualizing substance abuse treatment: the medical camp and the behavioral camp. The medical camp treats substance abuse as a medical issue that is dealt with using medication management. Drugs such as Suboxone and Disulfiram are meant to treat the cravings from drugs like amphetamines and alcohol. The behavioral camp approaches treatment from the idea that people choose their behavior. If you can be strong enough to make different choices, you can heal yourself.
At SkyeHelps, we take a different approach. We believe that substance abuse is a symptom of a deeper issue. As we treat the deeper issue, our minds and bodies change leading to healthier choices based on true and helpful beliefs about ourselves and the world.
What is SMART?
SMART is a nonprofit program founded in 1994 that hosts addiction recovery groups facilitated by trained volunteers. These meetings take place virtually and in-person all over the county.
SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training. We teach tools that are meant to help you build awareness of how your own thoughts, emotions, and beliefs affect your addiction and your recovery. SMART emphasizes the importance of building problem-solving skills and learning different ways to understand your addiction and recovery.
How does SMART work?
This approach to addiction recovery support follows a 4-step program:
- Enhance and maintain motivation to abstain
- Cope with urges
- Manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Balance momentary and enduring satisfactions
SMART groups are for adults 18+ interested in what abstinence from addiction might look like for them. If the idea of lifelong sobriety sounds scary to you, that’s okay. SMART Recovery recognizes your personal choice in addiction recovery and welcomes you to join our meetings wherever you are in your journey with addiction. SMART’s focus during group meetings is to foster an environment of support and motivation to pursue abstinence.
Regardless of where you are in your relationship with addiction, you are valued and welcome. SMART is the largest alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous, and is different from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in that SMART emphasizes individual choice and self-empowerment. SkyeHelps’ SMART group is also lead by clinical mental health counselors. SMART is unlike in AA in that spirituality/religion are not aspects of the program.
SMART encourages attendees to explore options that feel right to them, as many SMART participants attend AA and SMART meetings together. Your participation in meetings is encouraged and also entirely optional.
How to start your SMART journey
No matter where you are in your journey with addiction or how you feel about your current relationship with addiction, you are welcome to join us for SMART Wednesdays 7pm – 8:30 pm at 72 Public Square N Suite B, Dahlonega, GA or online by following this link. If you want to talk to us about SMART, give us a call at 706-864-5674.