Dual Relationships and Self-Disclosure 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 experience with them are likely to raise personal/professional boundary violations. Two specific dilemmas that recovering counselors may run into are dual relationships and self-disclosure. Outpatient rehab centers are on the rise because it is what most people with drug and alcohol problems are attending. The one problem with outpatient facilities is that they create the likelihood of dual relationships. A dual relationship is a situation where a counselor (usually in recovery) and client have more than one type of relationship. A good example of this is the counselor -- client relationship and the relationship they might possess in A.A. The difficult part for the drug therapist is knowing which hat to wear and when to wear it. It is hard for them to differentiate between their professional self and their self as an A.A. member. It is two completely diverse settings. Some counselors have no problem going to an A.A. meeting when a client is there and others would feel very uncom... ... middle of paper ... ...The word itself denotes a predicament that seemingly defies a satisfactory solution, not just any predicament or problem. Work Cited Bissell, LeClair and Royce, James E. Ethics for Addiction Proffessionals. Minnesota: Hazelden Foundation,1994 Official Site in Addiction Technology Transfer Center. Ethical Challenges for counselor competency. 23. May. 2000. Online Available http://www.mid-attic.org/courses/freemod_ethics2.html Pita, Dianne D. Addiction Counseling. New York: Crossroad Publishing Company, 1992 Wendel, Peter Counselors in Recovery find answers to ethical dilemmas. Counseling Today. May 1997: 28 pars Online: Available http://www.conseling.org/ctonline/archives/recovery.htm White, William L. Critical Incidents: Ethical Issues in Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment. Illinois: Lighthouse Training Institute, 1993
Do you think the best substance abuse counselors are recovering addicts themselves? Why or why not?
During the rehab process, patients receive much more than therapy and counselling. They learn a lot about addiction and what it takes to stay on the path of recovery. In many cases, they also learn the value of having one or more support groups. For many years now, counselors have placed a great deal of value on promoting the idea of "one addict helping another addict." In fact, who would know more about the recovery process than someone who has successfully lived it?
An addiction counselor is a support system for someone that is having problems with drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders and other addictive problems they are having. They teach people how to modify their behaviors with the intention of a full recovery. One step at a time. One hour at a time. One day at a time. This talks about how the counselors are helping one step at a time, they are doing it one hour at a time, and they are doing it one day at a time, this is all helping the addicted person through it all. It is critical to have someone there for them at all times and addiction counselors provide this support that they need. After receiving the training one is able to enjoy this career with the great reward of helping others.
Therefore, when I work with substance abusers I will show empathy, encourage and validate their successes and their feelings about any failures. In addiction, I will help the person learn from their failures and normalize the situation. Furthermore, I would attempt to ensure that the person had several coping strategies in place, to help when he or she finds themselves in a difficult situation. Moreover, I intend to ensure the client has all the tools he or she needs to succeed while getting to the root of their problem through counseling.
...ives from the implementation of an empathic, hopeful continuous treatment relationship, which provides integrated treatment and coordination of care through the course of multiple treatment episodes” (Watkins, 2015). Whether, confronted with a substance use disorder, gambling or sex addiction the way in which a counselor work with the client in an open helpful manner is the key to motivating the client to change their behaviors. “A man convinced against his will, Is of the same opinion still” (Carnegie, 1981). The most piece of the helping relationship is that the client is the lead in their care, as they are the ones that will be making the decisions for their care. A counselor is essentially a trained skillful teacher that guides an individual toward their best recovery options and it is up to the individual to make the needed changes in their life and behaviors.
services and co-occurring disorders: Prevalence estimates, treatment practices, and barriers. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 31(3), 267-275.
Substance abuse is the habitual use of mind altering substances (Substances). Addicts have a false or altered look on reality; they need help seeing what is wrong with the life style they are living. Nikki Sixx once said,” Addiction- When you can give something up at any time, as long as it’s next Tuesday!” Recovery is teaching a person to break old habits. Substance abuse counselors are very important, not only in the mental health field, but in society as well.
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2008). Foundations of addictions counseling. Boston, M.A: Pearson Education.
Family counseling as a treatment for substance abuse was first introduced to community mental health agencies in the 1970s. Family therapy became viewed as a feasible treatment alternative for many at-risk populations. Addiction is a serious problem not only, in America, but all across the world. Addiction is a family disease that stresses the family, impacts the stability of the home, the family’s unity, mental and physical health, finances, and overall family dynamics (Family Disease, 2016). Substance abuse can range from alcohol, pills, cocaine, heroin, etc. Because substance abuse comes in all different ways, substance abuse counseling options need to be varied based on the addiction. Families can detect substance abuse when there
Becoming a counselor gives you many opportunities to work with different people on different issues. When choosing to work with individuals who have substance abuse addictions, it is important to understand all of the issues that could come up. One place you can get information is the Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21. Within this publication is 123 competencies that are essential to counseling those who have substance abuse issues. This paper will give you information on ten of the competencies using knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
The patient may be able to sense if you have a negative opinion of them. Also, many patients with addiction may have ineffective coping, personal identity disturbance, and altered family coping along with many others. The patient will need support and access to resources. As nurses we must advocate for our patients, so in these situations we need to be actively doing this. The patient may need information about treatment and groups. During my observation at a rehabilitation facility, I saw firsthand that these patients need support. We need to provide the support and care that they need. (Observation, March 1,
Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental disorder. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt the work and actually change how the brain performs its jobs; these changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Drug abuse plays a major role when concerning mental health. It is very difficult for these individuals to engage in treatment. Diagnosis for a treatment is difficult because it takes time to disengage the interacting effects of substance abuse and the mental illness. It may also be difficult for substance abusers to be accommodated at home and it may not be tolerated in the community of residents of rehabilitation programs. The author states, that they end up losing their support systems and suffer frequent relapses and hospitalizations (Agnes B. Hatfield, 1993).
This paper will explore the concept of dual relationships between counselors and clients and the ethical implications of such relationships. In addition to presenting several examples of dual relationships, this paper will also explore how ethical decisions must be made to avoid potentially harmful or exploitive relationships in therapy as well understanding how different interactions between counselor and clients can be understood from an ethical standpoint, as well as how reviewing these ethical dilemmas may shape my future career as a counselor.
Keeping a positive and open relationship so that the client feels comfortable sharing their issues with the counselor. If the client is feeling judged they will withhold information and stunt the counseling process.