Introduction This paper summarizes South Carolina’s standards for addictions counseling which offers certification in two specialties; Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) and 2 levels of Certified Addictions Counselors (CAC I, II). The specialty certification standards are developed by the South Carolina Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (SCAADAC) Certification Commission (SCAADAC, 2016). In South Carolina to become an addictions counselor a professional would only have to complete the state’s requirements to practice, the national credentials are recommended but not required. In the pursuit of obtaining a certification for substance abuse counseling, I want to become certified to be able to provide competent and quality care to those struggling with an addiction. I wish to instill hope and be a mentor to others that have found themselves at rock bottom due to the negative impact that their addictions have caused them. …show more content…
The assessment requirements according to SCAADAC (2016) and NAADAC (2011) are as follows: An addiction professional can use assessments as one component of the counseling/treatment process taking into account the client’s personal and cultural background. The professional can only use assessment instruments that they have been trained to administer and interpret. The professional must have an informed consent documentation before administering an assessment. The professional must consider the client’s welfare and understand where and when to report the assessment results. Any assessments used for diagnostic purposes must be interpreted with a professional is authorized to diagnosis mental health disorders. Addiction professionals must adhere to the legal and ethical obligations by maintain the integrity of the assessments
Fortinash, K. M., & Holoday Worret, P. A. (Eds.). (2012). Substance-related disorders and addictive behaviors. Psychiatric mental health nursing (5th ed., pp. 319-362). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
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Christine’s current position requires a bachelor’s degree in a health related field, although she noted other counselors at her place of employment have master’s degrees. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) in the State of New Jersey. Certification involved verifying education and experience, completing an exam, and paying a fee. Christine is also a member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Membership in this organizat...
The Addition Severity Index is a well-known and widely used tool for use in treating alcoholics and other addicts. It is an approximately 45 to 60 minute long interview comprised of questions about the patient’s life. The interview covers eight subscales focusing on many different parts of a person’s life which helps to provide a comprehensive understanding of their life. The severity is scored on a ten point scale ranging from no problem or treatment indicated to extreme problem, treatment absolutely necessary. The scale helps the interviewer determine the seriousness of a client’s problem and to plan an effective course of treatment. The ASI can also be found in a self-administered paper-and-pencil form and an interactive CD-ROM multimedia version for the computer (Maleka, 2004). This test has been found to be reliable by most but some others do not agree. It is difficult to say whether or not the test is a reliable and valid measure of treatment due to the complexity of the questions. Once a client’s psychosocial needs are identified it is easier to find treatment suitable for that client. There are some problems with the test such as it is not properly designed to cover such a wide population (Maleka, 2004). Other problems include irrelevant questions for alcoholics and other drug users, difficulty remembering relevant information, and lying and exaggerating information for the best interest of the patient (Maleka, 2004). Use of the ASI can be found to be particularly problematic when used with the homeless or double-diagnosis patients. The ASI can be used in a wide range of treatment settings including clinical, research, and administrative. This comprehensive evaluation is a useful tool that helps professionals understand the
Chemical dependency counseling involves direct interactions with the clients and as such standards need to be set which will promote safe and accountable counseling. Chemical dependency counseling has a set code of ethics, guidelines and regulations that seek to safeguard the interests of everybody involved. Laws and ethics ensure that everyone acts in a way that does not cause harm to others. Laws and ethics also help to give the profession its credibility. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) gives provisions on the conduct of counselors as stipulated by the law. Chapter 135-7-01 provides the various responsibilities of counselors to their clients. Every counselor has a responsibility to their clients. It is their primary duty to promote the welfare of their clients and meet the client’s best interests.
The job of an addiction counselor specializing in, but not limiting my choice to substance abuse is the job profession I have chosen. The opportunities for this field are very open in my area of the country and throughout the Unites States. The counselors that work within range of me are very busy, and have little time to offer to a person in training. I was able to arrange an email interview with a particular counselor working at a rehabilitation facility for alcoholics and drug addicts. His job entailed monitoring the day-to-day progress of several people assigned to his case load. These clients were monitored for coping skills, stress levels, emotional stability, and general state of health. These areas were not limited to whether it was personal, romantic, or job related, but covered all aspects of the client’s day.
McGovern, M. P., Xie, H., Segal, S. R., Siembab, L., & Drake, R. E. (2006). Addiction treatment
Falcone, Timothy J. "Alcoholism and Drug Addiction FAQ's Saint Jude Retreat House. 19 April 2004. Online. Internet. 19 April 2004. Available: http://www.soberforever.net/FAQ1.cfm.
A substance abuse counselor is a person who helps people that are struggling with alcoholism and/or drug addiction. Substance abuse counselors provide patients with treatment and support while they are working to overcome their addiction and piece their lives back together. In addition, substance abuse counselors help patients’ families cope with their loved one’s disease and subsequent recovery. Finally, substance abuse counselors may work to spread awareness of addiction throughout the community by starting up/working for outreach programs.
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2008). Foundations of addictions counseling. Boston, M.A: Pearson Education.
I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.
Sometimes individuals consider becoming counselors after overcoming some major life challenge such as addiction or a history of bad relationships. Perhaps an individual has encountered a particularly effective counselor or therapist and has a desire to follow in those footsteps. Others may have had a bad experience with counseling and concluded that it can be done better. People do not think of this work so much as a job, or even as a career. More typically, a constellation of life experiences that demand explanation and a sense that others seek one out for assistance and emotional sustenance become driving forces leading one toward the counseling profession” (An invitation to). .
Moreover, an assessment is a more in-depth line of questioning of the client that goes in to the client’s background such as childhood experiences, social life and psychological health; the assessment can also go into a series of testing. Additionally, the assessment is also used to determine a diagnosis of the client (Substance Abuse Counselor, n.d.). Many times clients with substance abuse problems do have psychological issues.
When I began my studies at the University of Northern Iowa, I had an interest in the field of psychology, but I was not yet sure that I wanted to pursue a career in that area. The classes that I consequently took and the professors that taught them solidified my desire to receive a degree in psychology.