Rehabilitation Counseling in SUD Treatment & Recovery
Vocational rehabilitation counseling focuses on the process of improving an individual's functioning in primary life areas based on values, interests and goals. The VR counselor is trained to provide a wide range of vocational, educational and supportive follow up services that support improved behavioral health goals.
Angela Lockhart
shared this idea
19 comments
-
JUSTYNA
commented
MICROAGGRESSIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH.
-
B Donaldson
commented
Vocational Rehabilitation serves a vital role in treatment and every effort should be put forth to incorporate, promote and integrate vocational rehabilitation services as an essential component in a patient's substance abuse and recovery treatment plan.
-
Inger D. Callahan MSEd CRC LMHC
commented
Rehabilitation counseling within the treatment setting needs to be a core service. The staff need SAMHSA's help in understanding the role of the Vocational Rehabilitation counselor.
-
Michael Leifman
commented
I am a CRC and I work in a methadone clinic. I have a caseload of approximately 65 people. I meet with each of my clients (patients) either on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis depending on their admission date and whether or not they continue to abuse substances. As an addictions counselor with a vocational rehabilitation background, I have witnessed firsthand the issues and struggles that each and every patient goes through. Many of my patients have co-occuring disorders such as anxiety and depression in addition to medical issues which can range from asthma and diabetes to Hepatitis C and HIV. As I meet with my patients I assess them on their abilities and interests and assist them with their goals. I would say that from the 65 people I have, about 5 or so work on the books and provide verification, while many others collect SSI, work odd jobs, or have no desire to work. I cannot stress enough the fact that vocational rehabilitation is important and those who do engage in a vocational activity tend to deal with their recovery in a positive matter. I am always seeking strategies and approaches to better serve the client.
-
Alicia B
commented
Recovery is all about doing and acting differently. Who better to assist people in finding out how than the Rehabilitation Counselor. Identifying and coordinating ways to improve health, wellness, educational levels, skills not only in daily living, but in making a living wage are all part and parcel of what Rehabilitation Counselors are trained to do. Recovery and Rehabilitation go hand in hand!
-
AUDWIN EDWARDS
commented
Rehabilitation Counselors assist in meeting the persons need to work and or go to school with the issues in recovery. Sometimes a person needs to find meaning in life through work or school before they can fully address the addiction recovery issues.
-
Patrick Lovell
commented
Rehabilitation Counselors assist clients in obtaining employment only after they assist them with their stress management, rational thinking, self control, interpersonal communication, assertiveness, value clarification, goal sttting, problem solving and time management to name a few. I think the restoration of an individual so they can conduct an effective job search is worth some discussion.
-
Neil Marzullo
commented
I am new to the field, and I am seeing the power that job readiness skills development can hold for many of our clients. We are able to assist our clients in integrating new healthy life choices into their worlds as they overcome their addictions and begin the process of rejoining humanity. We discuss their re-intergration into society. I strongly support SAMHSA's inclusion of Rehabilitation Counseling in it's programs.
-
Ana C. Gonzalez
commented
Rehabilitation Counseling needs to be an imtegral piece of the
Services available to clients in treatment as their is synergy in the
goals of both. SAMSHA should include Rehabilitation Counseling in
its programs. -
Belinda Greenfield
commented
I enthusiastically support the topic "Rehabilitation Counseling in SUD Treatment and Recovery" to be added as part of SAMHSA's future publications!
-
Alicia Bartz
commented
Rehabilitation Counselors have been misunderstood and underutilized in SUD treatment and recovery for far too long. Rehabilitation Counselors work with individuals with all types of disabilities to become as self-sufficient and functional as possible, based on their abilities and personal values. We work with people to assist them in identifying what they can do, not what prevents them from doing them. It is not just about a job, it is about improving the quality of their life, functioning at their best and improving their ability to believe in themselves and identify their best options. Rehabilitation Counselors bring added value to substance abuse treatment and are integral members of the clinical multi-disciplinary team, not just "job finders" or resume writers!
-
Alicia Bartz
commented
Rehabilitation Counselors have been misunderstood and underutilized in SUD treatment and recovery for far too long. Rehabilitation Counselors work with individuals with all types of disabilities to become as self-sufficient and functional as possible, based on their abilities and personal values. We work with people to assist them in identifying what they can do, not what prevents them from doing them. It is not just about a job, it is about improving the quality of their life, functioning at their best and improving their ability to believe in themselves and identify their best options. Rehabilitation Counselors bring added value to substance abuse treatment and are integral members of the clinical multi-disciplinary team, not just "job finders" or resume writers!
-
Belinda Greenfield
commented
In the substance use disorder literature, vocational rehabilitation services is generally viewed as the most effective means of assisting individuals towards the world of work and subsequently enter mainstream society. During the past 15 years, the employment of individuals with a substance use disorder has become a national priority. Changes in federal welfare legislation beginning in 1996 support the use of VR services in SUD treatment, as well as SAMHSA’s National Outcome Measures (NOM) “Increased Education and Employment” domain which states must now report and demonstrate progress on. Employment is considered a desirable addiction treatment outcome towards promoting resilience and sustained individual recovery, and demonstrates overall treatment success (SAMHSA, 2004).
-
Nandini Ajaykumar
commented
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are an integral part of the treatment team as they assist clinical staff and clients in developing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan that will result in clients pursuit of employment, skills training or education and through their interventions, support and motivate clients to achieve their optimum level of functioning and self sufficiency. I agree there is a need for an update of SAMHSA/CSAT TIP 38 .Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services.
-
Anonymous
commented
Since so many of our clients in recovery are either unemployed or underemployed, it is essential for their quality recovery to receive vocational counseling. Keep it up!
-
Michele Buoninfante-Blainey
commented
It is extremely important to educate addiction professionals and administrators on the clinical skills that Certified Rehabilitation Counselors possess, and the clinical interventions that we provide our clients to help them progress in their recovery. Although employment is the ultimate goal, sometimes that is not realistic for each and every person in recovery. Through our clinical interventions, Certified Rehabilitation Counselors can provide additional options to support our clients in achieving their highest level of functioning, self-sufficiency and recovery goals. It is imperative that we get that message across!
-
Elyssa Gersen-Thurman
commented
An update of SAMHSA/CSAT TIP38 Integrating Substance Abuse Treatment and Vocational Services is overdue.
-
Laci Paluck
commented
To “piggy back” Angela’s comment-
Qualified individuals, i.e. Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) or those with Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling should be recruited for positions as Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor’s in Substance Abuse Treatment facility. It’s what we are trained to do! -
Angela Lockhart
commented
Research demonstrates that an important outcome indicator in the addiction recovery process is the individual’s ability to successfully obtain, maintain and/or reintegrate into the workplace. Employment ultimately benefits the recovering individual, his/her family, the employer and the community at large.
