Expert: Druideck - 2/9/2011

Question
I am a former nurse, and I am a recovering addict (opiates). While in rehab I saw that many of the counselors were actually recovering addicts/alcoholics themselves who had gotten training in the field. Because of a record for Rx forgery I can no longer work as a nurse, and background checks make it difficult to get other jobs. I would love to explore becoming a CSAC and would like information on how much training is needed, etc. I'm in my fifties so I don't want to commit to a 4-year program. I feel my experience in 12-step programs as well as years of nursing gives me great patience and desire to help others. Please advise.

Answer
Hi Tricia,

Often people in recovery are enthused
about helping others. This comes probably from
experiencing the miracles of the
recovery process.

Whether it is a good idea to enter the
field of counselling is better based
on your true skills and interests.

I have witnessed many people go through
all the courses and training
to work in addictions and find
out they didn't like the job or
they didn't succeed in helping
as much as they thought they would.

People can only be helped when they
want help, ask for help and
are willing to do what it takes
to help themselves.

This can be very stressful work
and can be frustrating as many
people do not recover as you wish
they would.

The best thing to do before investing
your time and money into counsellor
training would be to either volunteer
or take a short course that involves
some kind of on the job experience.
This might be a youth shelter, homeless
shelter or maybe an outpatient counselling
agency that accepts trainees.
Often community colleges will offer some kind
of course that may run anywhere from a few months
to two years.

You must also realize that helping others
is a component of co-dependence. That
means you might have issues of control
that are masked by a strong desire to help people.
These kind of underlying issues can result
in much stress and can even be addictive in nature.
There is a high burnout rate in counselling due
to the illusion that you can help or change others
even if they do not will it.

If you are truly serious then interview your
local agencies and counsellors and get
them to tell you how they got involved
and also what options there are in your area
for training.

Try some role-playing with friends or relatives
where they have a drug or alcohol problem
and you have to interact with them.
Let them decide if the scenario should fail or not
in them seeking help.
Lifelike experience may tell you if you are
going to feel comfortable in this business.

Many more people are helped daily by twelve step
groups than are helped by the helping profession.
Decide if your motivation is ego based, money based
or if you could satisfy your urge to help
in NA groups or such.

There are many ways to help people that are not
so much on the front lines and may be more
rewarding overall.
Addictions work can be very hard and can also be
amazing at times. Some people are a joy and others
are not.

Take time to research your own skills and
maybe you will find yourself counselling
or maybe doing some other kind of work
you never thought about doing before recovery.

Whatever you decide make sure it involves taking
care of your own sobriety. Pick a job that
allows you to take care of your own needs.
Never do more than you can handle, peace of mind
and solid recovery always come first.

Good luck!

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