To understand how to better support those who suffer from addiction, one must develop a foundation of scientific, educational, and communication skills that will allow clinicians to understand, treat, and not blame those struggling in recovery. Understanding key factors of addiction is critical to achieving long-term sobriety.
My area of expertise is in addictions and I have worked with addictive disorders for many years in direct treatment, teaching, and curriculum development of addiction-related training materials and resources. Areas of expertise include the treatment of addictive personality disorders and behaviors, opioid dependence, and the social perception of addiction as a disease. My work focuses on clinical and educational research associated with identifying risks and intervention methods for addiction and addiction treatment outcomes. In addition to active clinical practice, I continue to research extensively psychological complications associated with traumatic experience incurred during active disease that can impede treatment progress and create inevitable interpersonal phenomenon of unique perceptions and distortions.
My goal is to improve the understanding of addiction as a disease and further long-term continuum of care resources by strengthening community support, engagement, and information exchange for dealing with patients who demonstrate addictive behavior.
This quick guide was motivated by my desire to further the evolution of treating addiction as a disease and is the result of many years of facilitating Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Structured Outpatient Addiction Programs (SOAP). It is my hope that the work compiled in this quick guide will enhance the individual/group experience and allow clinicians to connect meaningfully with those persons served.
-Veronica Emilia Nuzzolo, M.Ed., Ph.D.
EMPOWER COMMUNITY HEALTH, llc- 617-729-9111 