Substance abuse education and training

Therapeutic Community Counselors: The Effects of Training and Personal Substance Abuse History on Job Stress and Professional Efficacy

“…However, this change in staff composition has led to controversy concerning which type of staff member is more qualified, those with a substance abuse history or those with professional education (White, 2000). As some have noted, conflict has arisen in the TC workplace as the increase in professionally trained counselors in the field of substance abuse treatment has challenged the status of the paraprofessional staff with recovery histories but no formal training (Stoffelmayr et al, 1998;Trumble, 1993). This conflict threatens the therapeutic atmosphere of the TC, and disagreement concerning appropriate training makes staffing decisions difficult.…”

“…Historically, the substance abuse treatment field was dominated by recovering addicts working as counselors, but this has changed of late, with an increase in the number of professionally-trained counselors entering the field and challenging the role of the paraprofessional staff (Stoffelmayr, Mavis, & Kasim, 1998;Trumble, 1993). Some experienced substance abuse counselors who have no graduate training are leaving the field, due in part to increasing state requirements for credentialing (Peck, 2002).…”

“…One of the reasons for the professionalization of the field is the growing public concern for the problem of substance abuse. Specialized training programs were created by the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Labor, and the National Institute of Mental Health, and credentialing became necessary to work in the field of substance abuse (Stoffelmayr et al, 1998;Trumble, 1993;White, 2000). Currently, approximately 57% of substance abuse counselors are credentialed by organizations such as (NAADAC) National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (White, 2000).…”

“…For example, by measuring the counselor's self-perceived confidence in providing substance abuse counseling interventions, McClanahan, McLaughlin, Loos, Holcomb, Gibbins, and Smith (1998), found that the training program increased the counselor's self-efficacy in group facilitation as well as the counselor's intervention and prevention skills. Furthermore, counselor training is considered to be the key factor in correcting myths surrounding substance abuse and treatment (Trumble, 1993).…”