The Commitment of a Substance Abuse Counselor
Jul 5th, 2010 by Frank Julien
Someone who sets out on a career of substance abuse counselor is going to have qualities not found in everyone. It takes a certain, and special kind of person to delve into drug counseling. A person doing substance abuse counseling is going to be a very caring and committed person. Perhaps they have a history of abuses themselves, but not always. They are going to be people who find satisfaction in helping other people.
A substance abuse counselor often has very rough days. Dealing with and helping people who are going through withdrawal is not always an easy thing to do. Yet a committed substance abuse therapist goes back day after day because they keep their eyes on the prize, which is someone who lives drug-free happily with their friends and family without the chain of chemical addiction.
An individual who truly cares about people and can be committed to helping them succeed under any circumstances would be a perfect candidate for substance abuse counselor. Anyone who is indifferent to suffering or even those who are too sensitive may not find happiness being a substance abuse counselor. Those who already have made that decision have earned great personal satisfaction in their career. They can go home each evening knowing they made a real difference in someone’s life.
Not all people are suited for all jobs and the same is true for the one doing drug and alcohol addiction counseling. Everyone has their own talents and character which they must match to a career. While good substance abuse counselors are very caring and empathetic, they are also a bit thick skinned. They sometimes have to take some unearned abuses and even violence from those experiencing withdrawal and must be able to shake it off. Substance abuse counselors are indeed unique breed of person. There must be a mix of toughness along with the genuine concern that is necessary for the job.
A person who is generally a caring person and has an understanding or is willing to learn about drug abuse and alcoholism and how to beat it may be perfect as a substance abuse counselor. It certainly would be worth the time and effort to explore the possibility. There is always a demand for good substance abuse counselors willing to work with those who are trying to rid their lives of drugs and improve their lives.













