therapist question

[kaybee2]

Can anybody help me w/ this? I'm looking to go see an addictionologist, or specialist or addiction therapist to help me be done with this crap once and for all. But I'm nervous. I want to be open and honest about everything but I'm scared that they will report me to family/social services and they'll try to take my children from me. Can they do that? I know what i tell them is confidential but can they still report me? This is the only thing holding me back.

[IBKleen]

I am probably wrong about the HIPAA Act (Law) being the one that protects you. I am not good at the technicalities of this stuff. Vicki is the one to ask regarding anything like this. However, I do know that you are protected under a privacy act. I have been to 4 different doctors in the past 3 months alone and each and every time I have been handed a pice of paper or a booklet explaining the privacy laws. Think about it--An Addictionologist specializes in matters of addiction. If they were to violate your privacy they would not have a practice. Dealing with addiction is what they do and nothing you tell them will surprise them or cause them to "turn you in". They are there to help you so unless you have outright committed a crime such as doctor shopping, abuse or murder (for example), they will help you and maintain your confidentiality. Please don't use this as an excuse not to get help and don't hold off on it. If you are suffering from addiction and all that comes with it it will not get better on it's own so please seek the help that you need to get well.

[BeyondScrewed]

Kaybee, I am right there with you. If I cud I wud go right now!! I have looked, but so far all the actual M.D. "addictionologists" that ive called run like centers and programs.....but they don't actually do individual sessions. I wud not do good in a group setting.
My fear is if I found one, that they wud report me to my prescribing phycision. If so then I wud get cut off, and at the level I'm at, well I wud be as my name states.
Anyway, if u find a good database or search to find somebody, please post it. Or, feel free to message me if u want n maybe we can help each other

[IBKleen]

Hi & Welcome,

Congratulations on seeking outside help for your addiction.No,a therapist or doctor of any kind cannot report you. You are protected under the HIPPA Act and anything you share with them is confidential. If you are lucky enough to find a therapist in your area that specializes in addiction that is great. If not, most therapists today are familiar with addiction and will be able to help you. With pain medication abuse being a near epidemic in this country, therapists and counselors are seeing more and more cases each day.

I don't know if you are yet to find someone in your area but if not your best bet would be to do a google search or contact a local treatment center and ask for a reference.

I wish you the best. Let us know how you are doing.