Abuse Counselor Career Research Paper

My future career is highly influenced by my own passion, experience, and knowledge. My experience as an addict drives my passion to help others, and the knowledge of psychology will be used to further my career goal of becoming a Recovery Coach for those living with HIV or AIDS. I believe that there is a direct correlation between an HIV or AIDS diagnosis, and substance abuse. I want to understand these connections in order to help others through clinical, counseling, forensic, and public service psychology. All four areas of psychology are interesting to me because they are all directly connected to the areas of psychology in which I wish to focus my career.

The Specialization chosen is addiction counseling. This paper will cover the key aspects of addiction counseling which include biological, psychological and physical aspects. As well as medical and social aspects of addiction and counseling. Addiction counseling must adhere to strict ethical codes, and the counselors need to have an understanding of addiction, and have knowledge in the various types of treatment programs. Other key aspects that are important in this specialization are the application to practice, and most important professional readiness. Addiction counseling differs from other specializations because it requires long-term care and treatment, and requires more than one form of treatment within individuals. Treating

As I said earlier, a substance abuse counselor helps people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol, but I am looking to not only help those

When most people think of substance abuse and addiction counseling they often only think of the 12 step program or alcoholics anonymous. The truth is that an addiction counselor must have a vast knowledge in the

Currently, I am a counselor in training at East Carolina University within the Department of Addictions and Rehabilitation Studies. Upon graduation, I will be pursuing licensure as a Clinical Addiction Specialist and a Professional Counselor. I am working at the Navigate Counseling Clinic, under the supervision of Qunesha Hinton, who also serves as my ECU doctoral student supervisor. My faculty supervisor is Shari Sias, Associate Professor, Substance Abuse and Clinical Counseling Program Director at East Carolina University (office number: 252-744-6304; email: siass@ecu.edu) and facility supervisor is Dr. Leigh Atherton at Navigate Counseling Clinic (office number: 252-744-6300; email: athertonw@ecu.edu) .

There are many resources and organizations available for the professional development of counselors in all areas of specialization. The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) is a national organization that provides addiction counselors “…nationally-standardized certification, education, and clinical training to obtain the skills, qualifications, and experience that allow you to make progress in your career” (NAADAC, 2013). Their concern for professional development helps addiction counselors by giving them the tools to advance in their careers and continue to develop the personal skills necessary for working with clients struggling with drug, alcohol, and many other addictions. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is an international organization that offers “…a wealth of professional development opportunities, from its annual conference to its regularly scheduled webinars, from self-paced topic specialist training to one-day workshops” (ASCA, 2014). While both organizations offer education to the counseling professional,

Chemical Dependency counselors have quite a few ethical dilemmas to deal with. Therapists that are in recovery may confront some even more complex dilemmas, opposed to those who are not. There is a high percentage of addiction counselors that are in recovery. In fact, 55% of 36,000 members of the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselors (NAADAC) are recovering alcoholics and 21% are recovering from some other chemical dependency. This brings up two sides to counselors in recovery. "There is something about the personal experience that assists counselors to being especially attentive to the needs of the recovering client." On the other hand, counselors bringing personal

There are a couple divisions that I am interested in, the American Mental Health Counseling Association (AMHCA), and the International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors (IAAOC). The reason these two catch my eye is my passion is to work with individuals with addiction (substance abuse) problems and people who have suffered from trauma in their lives. Even though I know these disciplines can be challenging or even heartbreaking at times, when you are working with a client and witness them making positive strides in their life it makes it all worthwhile. Although during those difficult times it is always good to have good supervision and connect with other professionals in your area, and keep up with the current issues in the counseling

I had the privilege of talk to Diana W. Bear of the Inter-Tribal Substance Abuse/Prevention & Treatment Center. She is a Counselor at the facilities at Miami, Oklahoma. She confided in me why she pursued a career in substance and alcohol prevention as a second career in her life. She also had family member that difficultly with addictions and wanted to know more about addiction. With her desire to learn and overwhelming desire to want to help others to overcome it. She started by enrolling in some online class and finished up with attending Pittsburg State University for part of her college career. She started out as doing her practicum at the same facilities as she later got a job; she has been a counselor with Inter-Tribal Substance Abuse/Prevention & Treatment Center for now ten years.

Substance abuse is a widespread problem in the United States. That is why certified addictions counselors are in high demand today. Addiction counselors can work in a variety of places, including prisons, residential treatment facilities and hospitals.

When one thinks of a counselor, what ideas come to mind? To advise, to instruct, to counsel? My reaction to counseling in my early days in the profession was to receive guidance from a professional when I did not have the answers myself or when I felt “stuck” with a problem in my personal life that I felt I could not solve. What did I wish to get from seeing a counselor? The question depends on what aspect you are seeking guidance or counsel in your life. The question changed when I began to pursue a career in counseling. The question became “Why do I want to be a counselor? Who do I want to serve? What

The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) is an organization of professionals who focus on addiction counseling. The NAADAC prides itself on four main roles: professional development, public engagement, professional services and to communicate its mission. The organization will aide in professional development by providing the most current education and training to ensure counselors are adopting the newest evidence based practices in their work (Tuohy, C., n.d. para. 2). NAADAC also provides mentorship and a career path, which are always essential for continued growth. While the NAADAC is directed towards addiction professionals; The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors. The ASCA also provides assistance in professional development as well as mentorship for its members. By providing annual conferences, webinars, specialist training to one-day workshops, the ASCA is committed to the professional development of its members (n.d. para 2). Both of these organizations provide publications that administer the latest knowledge regarding the organization and profession. Although a membership fee is required for both of these associations, the benefits make it well worth it.

There are many issues drug addicts or substance abusers face and of the biggest is treatment. I intend to obtain a degree in Human Services with a focus on Substance Abuse. There is a great need in our country today and having had some experience with how the system works, addicts need to have treatment readily available. Understanding what drives an addict to use will help facilitate treatment.

The licensing/certification and the responsibilities of addiction counselors vary from state to state and job to job. The licensing /certification may or may not be required for particular job. This license/certification is proof that one has received the proper education and training to pass the exam to receive the license or certification. The responsibilities may include group or individual therapy. The maintaining of personal records for each client’s case may include individual treatment plans and objectives as well as progress reports or notes. Being available for interventions and family sessions may also be a required. The demand for this type of job is growing. Corporations are seeing the benefits of retaining or adding addiction counselors to their benefit plans, or staff. This field offers a variety of job titles

It seriously influences the ability of women to achieve equal status. As a matter of fact, it is not only the great number of violence cases against women that threatens women 's lives, but the fear of violence that influences their everyday life, how they dress, where they go, with whom they communicate, etc. Violence against women continues to be an urgent social and economic problem in the world with serious influences on our health and social services systems.