The 12 Steps Of Counseling

When most people think of substance abuse and addiction counseling they often only think of the 12 step program or alcoholics anonymous. The truth is that an addiction counselor must have a vast knowledge in the

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

The 12-step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous is a well-known treatment method that’s used for many types of addiction, not just alcohol. Alcoholics are encouraged to “work” the 12-steps. The first step involves admitting the powerlessness over alcohol. The second step has the alcoholic believe that there is some type of a greater power working that will help aide the alcoholic to reach sobriety, as well as maintain is once reached. This step is an example of the religious influence on the 12-step recovery process.

Alcoholics Anonymous relies on a twelve step base towards recovery. These 12 steps have a spiritual background towards them but the founders encourage alcoholics to take what they wants from these steps that will help them and leave the rest. These 12 steps include:

A broad range of medical and psychological therapies is currently available for people who struggle with substance addictions. The scientific community is working on evaluation of various treatments to determine which strategies offer the best chances of successful outcome. People who need treatment for alcoholism and drug use are very diverse group. Addiction is a disorder that requires an individual case approach; therefore, different ways to

Dr. Jarlais’ statement would surely raise eyebrows at the next research convention but is that what we can base the tremendous acceptance and success rate of AA on? In my personal experience, I can agree with the supporters of the 12-step method. The reasons are many but one comes to mind each time I read the opposing views – Are we complex human beings or lab rats? Is it necessary as recovering addicts and psychodynamic therapists alike to use a scientific approach to confirm the resounding results? AA works and if personal response or “storytelling” along with the admitting that we are powerless over our addictions helps, well, that is enough proof for me. Terry M. states, “Our primary goal is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” (Terry M. 1998) This statement is enough proof that I believe the people who attend AA are more useful than any scientific influences. A Dr. and a patient formed AA; this alone also shows the importance to respect what has been a foundation to recovery – the honesty and no judgement policy of recovery.

The twelve step program is a therapy session, treatments are set up to meet the body, mind and spiritual needs of the patient, the idea is to rebuild a life, not just get someone off of drugs. The individuals could be put on the medications needed to keep the urge away from going back to their addiction.

Other methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are also proving to be viable alternatives. While mostly administered in on an outpatient or partial inpatient basis, these types of methodologies can be used on s selective basis, which provides the drug and alcohol rehab staff with the flexibility to tailor addiction treatment programs for all addicts. No matter which methodology is used, the focus is always on providing the relapse prevention tools and life-training skills necessary for a lasting recovery from

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

The participants were looking for help, which it created some confusing thoughts; I thought AA meetings were mandatory for all participants. It also made me realize with all the brief stories how alcohol is an enormous concern in our society, however our society has normalized those concern and convert the negative impact of alcohol into something positive. It drive me to think that 12 steps program work, and it should be part of a treatment. After, the meetings that I attended; I feel the 12-step program will work if professionals in the Human Services area introduce the program on a positive manner. It may be challenging because of the religious portion for some cases, however this may introduce the participant’s new ways to cope with the struggle of alcoholism. At the same time, the main benefits for the client will be abstinence and support. The abstinence is a continuous process and through the meetings clients will be able to keep the abstinence from alcohol or other drugs. Conclusively, there was an environment of hope in the meeting. During, the meeting one of the participants was a new member. He described how alcohol destroyed his family and he is trying to get his family back, however his wife does not want to come back with him and a divorce petition was completed. This particular participant found in the 12 step meeting comfort and support from his peers. Besides, the comfort the participant

I believe counseling is a collaborative partnership between client and counselor. Furthermore, this collaborative partnership is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor. I hope in conjunction with clients to understand the issues and concerns so to help them tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges. I believe in a comprehensive perspective through which clients can better comprehend themselves in the framework that our thinking about events can lead to emotional and behavioral upset. Moreover, counselors are to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their challenges and identify ways to move differently in overcoming these challenges.

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

The 12-Step program addresses the factors or causes that are responsible for, or related to, substance abuse by helping individuals to understand the concept of change. “Processes of change are the covert and overt activities that people engage in to alter affect, thinking,

Many reformed addicts also believe they are no longer in recovery from addiction and they simply just quit. The beliefs of the twelve-step program may not appeal to everyone but the key to the program is recognizing a problem and taking the steps to correct it.

The staffs of therapeutic communities mainly consist of former addicts and abusers, they know what the addicts are going through and can knowledgeably help them through the struggle. There is a high success rate for patients who do not stick with the program.