- Are you interested in learning some of the skills needed to be an Addictions Counselor?
- Do you have a strong desire to help yourself and others?
- Are you willing to be honest with yourself, other people? (students and your instructor)
- Are you able to discuss personal issues in a student chat forum?
- Are you willing to make changes in your life, to lead by example and follow an ethical code of conduct?
If so you may interested in the following on-line training program.
First the Disclaimer...
This website is not affiliated with any formal educational institution, nor it is accredited with any governing body. Although we strive to teach best practice methods and ethical standards - the information and instruction offered here are for self-help purposes only, and is best used as a supplement for formal college and university training. By reading this information and completing any part of this program you hereby agree not to hold RecoveryRoadMap.com or any persons associated with the site or other students liable for any type of claim what-so-ever. Any fees paid to the site, are considered as donations in support of keeping the site available and are non-refundable. Any actual services provided are offered for free, and with no claims of results, student capability or competency.
On Becoming a Counselor
This is the motivation and suitability assessment page. By completing the assignments below and emailing it to: DcjP@RecoveryRoadMap.com it will help you decide if pursuing a career as an addictions counselor is something you want to do, and it will help us determine if we wish to take you on as a student. You can copy and paste the following two assignments into your word processor or email program, and then email your answers back to the site.
Is Your Heart Pure?
This is one of the questions that I keep asking myself - "Is my heart pure?" Why do I do this? By doing so, I am able to do a little perception check on my motivations, and a little self-test as to the reasons why I am trying to help others, and how I am helping myself in the process. It is our belief, that you need to help yourself first, otherwise you are no good to anyone else; but it is not right to put your needs above theirs. So the balance comes in finding ways that everyone can meet their own needs, without impinging on the freedom and responsibilities of those around them.
Are their exceptions to this rule of putting your own needs first, yes. An example would be for young children, as a parent you need to make decisions for them at times because their choices may be harmful to themselves, or self-centered. Teaching young children to share, has benefits that pay off later in life. However as adults, and as counselors we are often put in the position of giving advice, forming a treatment plan, and possibly making decisions that affect our clients and perhaps other people too. So, how do we navigate these stormy waters? What is the right course to set?
You see, putting your "client's needs first" and doing what is best for them (in your humble opinion), sounds good; but does not take into account that they need to be able to make their own choices and bear the responsibility for the choices that they have made. I tell my clients that: You may not always be in control (especially when using), but you are always responsible.
Thus, the first challenge is often getting a person to accept personal responsibility (without being overwhelmed with guilt and shame), such that they are willing to look at their behavior and the choices that they have made.
This can be done in a coercive or semi-forced form with an intervention, court mandated treatment, or even subtle pressure from family and friends. However, if the person does not choose freely to take on a commitment of personal responsibility, then chances are that once the external pressure to change is no longer present, they will revert back to old habits.
Thus, the philosophy I prefer is that of acting as a "guide" and "supporter" helping to steer the person without telling them where to go. I do my best to offer choices and alternatives - a Recovery Road Map; but allow them to walk at their own pace and where they want to go — even go down the wrong path, if that is what they choose to do. Ultimately it is up to the person themselves to decide which path in life that they want follow and how much they want to wonder around - all over the map - or follow a straighter and narrower and often healthier road.
There is a saying: "Break the will, but not the spirit" and it is my client's spirit that I guard as the most precious treasure—almost as much as I guard my own spirit. Some of my most difficult clients in terms of being the biggest challenge to work with, are the strongest willed ones. Yet, when these people begin to make changes, they are often those who are the strongest in their recovery, and the ones who are best able to help others eventually too.
What about books, fees, and notes?
For those students who complete the following two assignments, and are accepted into the program. You will need to purchase a list of textbooks from whatever source you prefer, and pay a student course fee to the RecoveryRoadMap.com website for each of the courses that you choose to take. You may take as many or few courses as you like. If you complete the entire program, you will receive a Certificate of Recognition for completing the Addiction Counselor On-line Training Program. Although this will in no way imply professional or paraprofessional status, capability or competency, it will serve as recognition that you have had the on-line training.
Please note: This program is not currently available in Canada - to avoid a possible conflict of interest concerns. (For more info pleae send me an email. Thanks.)
So, what do you think? Are you willing to try? If YES, then:
Assignment #1:
Your first assignment is to explain your reasons for wanting to help others, and why you want to become an addictions counselor. This should be in the form of a minimum five hundred word essay.
Assignment #2:
Answer the following 10 Questions as best as you can and email your answers back to me.
What Do You Think? - Addiction Counselor Training Program
Please take some time to answer the following questions as fully as possible. There are no RIGHT or WRONG answers. These questions are designed to provide an opportunity for you to express your opinions and thoughts about the various aspects of Addictions Issues before you take the Addiction Counselor Training Program. At the end of your program, you will be given your answers back to see if any of your beliefs or understanding of addictions issues has changed. For some, what you learn may simply confirm what you already believe. For others, you will be amazed at how much you have learned or at how much your beliefs or attitudes have changed.
10 Questions:
1. What experience do you personally have with alcohol and drugs, and how has that affected you views on addictions?
2. Have you ever talked to a counselor or therapist about personal issues? Y/N How do you think your clients will feel about talking with you about their personal issues?
3. How does society view addiction? How is alcohol & drug use portrayed in the media? What problems you think the medias portrayal of alcohol & drug use might cause for someone in recovery?
4. Do you think addiction is an illness? Why or why not?
5. How bad do you think it has to get for an addict, before they are willing to make “life changes”?
6. To what degree do you think a person's drinking or drug use is a result of other problems in their life or their childhood experiences? (Give an example if you can.)
7. Can you think of any reasons why one of your clients might not want help? What can you do to over come their resistance and actually help them?
8. What steps do you think are necessary for a person to recover from an addiction?
9. What could or should you do as an additions counselor to help your clients?
10. How would you feel if one of your clients relapsed and began using alcohol or drugs again? What would you tell them at their next office appointment?
There is no rush on these assignments, and no obligation to continue. What RecoveryRoadMap.com is offering to you, is a program of learning similar to that offered by many community colleges and universities, but in a less formal and learn at your own pace format.
Live Free,
Doug Pamenter
