Aftercare Program: Case Study

The purpose of this research paper was to attend two support group meetings and share my experiences. The meetings that were to be attended were an Alcoholics Anonymous

At the beginning of my training, I was hesitant to work with people struggling with addiction. However, at this point, I am excited to begin working with this population. The raw honesty presented in the group setting along with the anger at the possibility of losing a safe place created a dynamic I wanted to further explore. Research supports that individuals attending group therapy in a 12 step program format succeed if they have the proper support and motivation (Cite). The group dynamic demonstrated that recovery takes time and self-discovery, similar to other situations dealt with in therapy. Subsequently, by using my sense of self and humor with clients struggling with addiction, I can help them in their journey. Furthermore, the client needs to identify accountability at their own pace in the process and not when others dictate. This knowledge and the personalization of addiction will aid me in the future support of my

Contact between an addictions counsellor and a client is usually initiated by the client referring him/her self, an outside agency refers them, family physician or the addictions counsellor initiates contact through outreach or other agencies. Assessment can be seen as the beginning of treatment and it becomes an opportunity to encourage the client to begin to move towards change. The initial assessment involves a mutual investigation and exploration between the client

Stabilization and treatment require effective planning. The clients who enter this addictions program are the essence of this program and its success. Therefore, the needs of the clients we serve set precedence and our staff are to address the needs of the clients with regards to confidentiality as it can become an issue if no policy is in place. Client confidentiality is an issue for program staff who receive calls by family members who are seeking information about their loved ones. This becomes a policy and procedure issue at the time the phone is answered. To resolve this issue and to effectively manage client confidentiality a protocol is in place. The program staff will follow the procedural response for each phone call and request. After training and demonstrating how to answer the phone our staff will be properly trained. Each program staff will seek guidance if any breach of confidentiality is made and will log it immediately. This method of response and approach will reduce violation of policies and procedures that reduce legal obligations in the event confidentiality is breached. Proper steps in place to ensure compliance.

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) .

Psychoeducational groups relating to additions or substance abuse are designed to assist participants in their stages of change, learn about recovery, provide information to families to understand behaviors, and to assist participants with resources and skills (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, n.d). Psychoeducational groups will support participants and encourage them to take responsibility for their actions. These groups will utilize different methods to replace addictive behavior and practice mindfulness to work on any cognitive impairment that their addiction has produced (U.S Department of Health and Human Service, n.d). In addition, substance abuse or addiction psychoeducational groups provide participants support and peer confrontation. Other members are able to support the group by offering education about what has worked well for them, or what has not work well. The group processes also provides emotional support for members to assist in personal recovery.

The primary areas that the social worker and Emilia need to focus on in treatment/intervention planning, involve several needs. Emilia has been unable to complete treatment for addiction, despite an honest desire to stop

Substance abuse and addiction can impact every aspect of a person’s daily life, relationships, employment, and can have a profound impact on the user’s overall health. The certified professionals at the addiction treatment centers in Silver Spring, Maryland are uniquely qualified to mitigate the physical aspects of detox and withdrawl, but also help the individual to work through and resolve the many issues that evolve out of addiction. The addiction treatment centers in Baltimore, Maryland, and the surrounding area, offer inpatient services, outpatient care, and residential treatment options.

Substance abuse counseling can be a rewarding career for anyone who has a desire to help people who are battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol. A substance abuse counselor can work in hospitals, prisons, therapeutic facilities, and halfway houses. The purpose of a substance abuse counselor is to help those who have an addiction manage it. In this paper I will be discussing Texas state counseling laws and the ACA ethics code and how these two can guide my work as a substance abuse counselor. I will also discuss the characteristics of a counselor, review my strengths and any challenges I may have as a counselor, and discuss my perceptions of substance abuse that may impact my ability to become an effective counselor.

The staff at the facility should be specialized to treat psychiatric, psychological, and medical conditions of the residents. It is important to find the underlying cause and conditions of the substance abuse addiction (Abadinsky, 2014). “A typical day is from 7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. “and includes morning and evening house meetings, job assignments, groups, seminars, scheduled personal time, recreation, and individual counseling” (Abadinsky, 2014, p.

Behavioral Healthcare professionals are likely to encounter individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). These are highly prevalent and often co-occur with Mental Health Disorders. SUDs affect vital areas of life, such as physical, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Recovery from addiction is a long a road with highs and lows, however having a strong support system makes facing these challenges manageable. Addiction support groups gives the person a safe place to discuss these challenges while maintaining sobriety. They offer invaluable education, guidance, and the encouragement the patient needs to succeed in living a healthier lifestyle.

Pt. has been in the program for over 3 years and she is currently in Phase 0. Pt. has participated in the AMS of De methadone clinic, she has been able to achieve abstinence from illicit drugs but she is failing to comply with the mandatory counseling sessions. Pt. is now eligible to receive phase 1 take home privileges if she maintains satisfactory attendance and scheduled appointments. Pt. identified her children as a motivational factor to change and to reinforce the importance of remaining in recovery. Pt. was advised to obtain a sponsor and attend 12 Step meetings. Pt. has done in achieving her goal of maintaining financial compliance despite the holiday financial stress. Pt. seemed to accumulate a back balance, but normally pays for late account balance in full upon notice of an administrative taper.

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.

Stevens, P., & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.

In Counseling for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the need to use different techniques is an integral part of the process. Working with an individual that is either entering into recovery or actively in recovery, the clinician must take their time with introducing the 12 Steps. The individual may not be open to the 12 Step philosophies at the onset. Addiction is very complex and actively affects the person on a daily basis; therefore, it is so important to start from the beginning of counseling to create a structured program.