The substance abuse counselor is a mental health counselor specializing in treating patients who have a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol. Whether counseling addicts or those who fear they will become addicts, a substance abuse counselor works with their clients to help them overcome their dependency and become self-sufficient.
The substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors may also work closely with the family of the client as substance abuse inevitably affects the loved ones of the chemically dependent person. While challenging, the role of a substance abuse counselor is one that can be extremely fulfilling. If you have a natural inclination towards helping those in need, a career as a substance abuse counselor might be just what you are looking for.
What Are The Qualities That Makes a Good Substance Abuse Counselor?
Substance abuse counseling is an important component of any drug and alcohol rehabilitation or prevention process and there are several qualities or attributes that a good substance abuse counselor should possess, he or she should be;
A Good Listener: An addiction counselor collaborates with their patients to identify their needs and goals to develop a customized treatment plan. Your counselor should be a good listener and possesses an overall demeanor of compassion. The initial counseling sessions are designed to lay the foundation for mutual trust, which is imperative for a successful outcome.
Empathetic: Through a counselor’s empathy (many are former addicts themselves) and patience, they create a safe environment for the user to openly communicate. This will help the counselor identify the underlying issues that may be driving the addictive behavior. This part of therapy is one of the keys because without pinpointing the underlying issue, long-term recovery is less likely.
Committed: A good therapist will also be able to diagnose and treat any co-occurring mental health conditions. The most important quality in a good addiction counselor is a desire and commitment to help their patients move through the stages of change with the ultimate goal of achieving long-term sobriety.
Emotionally Balanced: An effective counseling relationship is dependent on the emotional balance of the counselor. A good counselor will be compassionate, without showing pity. They will be understanding and totally non-judgmental.
Client-focused: As counseling requires a great amount of listening, a good drug and alcohol counselor understands the importance of staying focused and giving you the attention you need. Through the art of listening, an accurate assessment and suitable therapy plan is created just for you.
Good Problem-Solving Skills: Addiction counselors must have excellent problem-solving skills to be able to help their clients identify and make changes to negative thought patterns and other harmful behaviors that might be contributing to their issues.
Rapport-Building Skills: Counselors must possess a strong set of interpersonal skills to help establish rapport quickly with clients and develop strong relationships. They must give their undivided attention to clients and be able to cultivate trust. Counselors need to be able to place all of their focus on what their clients are saying and avoid being distracted by their own personal problems or concerns when they are in a session.
Professionally Positive and Flexible: Flexibility in counseling is defined as the ability to adapt and change the way you respond to meet your clients’ needs. You don’t stay rigid and stick to a predetermined treatment path when your clients require a different approach. Being flexible is one of the most important attributes of a professional counselor. A good drug and alcohol counselor will never judge you and are always positive at all times. An effective counselor is both friendly and professional.
Unbiased: A good substance abuse counselor never brings their own preferences or beliefs into their professional lives. Additionally, they are respectful of and sensitive to every client’s religious, cultural, and lifestyle choices. In fact, a great counselor will always seek out ways of integrating a client’s belief system into their care plan, where possible.
Open-Minded: Substance abuse counselors hear all kinds of private information and encounter all types of people. It is important that the client understands that a counselor is not judging them but working on improving the outcomes of their behaviors.
Confidentiality: Is the legal and ethical duty of therapists not to reveal information about their clients to unauthorized individuals. Legally and ethically, therapists are bound by statute and by the profession’s code of professional conduct not to reveal information about their clients to unauthorized individuals. A good addiction counselor always maintains the confidentiality of each and every client.
Conclusion
A good relationship with your counselor will show in terms of your healing and general progress throughout your rehab and beyond. When you are working in tangent with a good counselor, you will find that your happiness increases. They will help you see your past, present, and future in a whole new light, and will be able to equip you with the tools to approach this new stage of your life in a confident and positive manner. Click On This Link To Download: Substance Abuse Assessment Form Free Download
