A mental health professional who specializes in assisting patients with addictions is known as an addiction counselor. These counselors can help patients with a variety of issues in private practice, substance abuse clinics, group practices, and hospital settings. To work as an addiction counselor, one must typically complete a training program that covers chemical dependency, psychology, legal issues, and the various treatments available to people suffering from addictions.
When most people think of addiction, they think of drugs like heroin, but addiction counselors also work with people who are addicted to gambling, shopping, and other activities. Patients with addictions to a wide range of substances, not just illegal drugs, are treated addiction counselors. An addiction counselor, for example, might help someone quit smoking or drinking, or patients who are addicted to pharmaceuticals, including those obtained legally through prescription.
Some addiction counselors specialize in a specific area of expertise, while others work with a wide range of addictions. Addiction counselors meet with patients in both private and group settings to provide therapy, discuss ongoing issues, and develop treatment plans in all cases. In addition to running addiction programs that range from residential treatment facilities to community meetings to help people cope with addiction, addiction counselors can work with family members and facilitate family communication.
Every addiction counselor has a different treatment approach, which is usually tailored to the patient’s needs. Many addiction counselors believe that addictions can only be managed rather than cured, and treatment focuses on accepting this and equipping patients with the tools they need to manage their addiction. Addiction counselors can refer patients to other health-care professionals who can help them deal with their problems, and they can also work as part of a patient’s care team.
Counseling for addiction can be extremely taxing. Many health care professionals struggle with transference, and in the case of addiction counseling, a patient’s dependence on a substance or activity can become a dependency on an addiction counselor. While addiction counselors must be able to assist their clients, they must also maintain professional boundaries.
Empathy, patience, and a strong commitment to confidentiality are all required for this type of work. Addiction counselors must build trusting relationships with their clients and follow strict ethical guidelines. Many belong to professional organizations that provide addiction counselors with certification as well as continuing education opportunities that keep them up to date on developments in the field and topics of interest.