The prevalence of addiction is one of the great tragedies of modern times. According to some estimates, approximately six million Canadians have a substance misuse disorder, 3 percent of Canadians are addicted to alcohol, and another 3 percent are addicted to gambling. These are just a few examples of a problem that affects millions of families across Canada.
Taking on a career in addictions work is an opportunity to do something that can make a true and lasting difference for clients and the very social fabric of the country. It’s also a profession with particular challenges, which may lead some to wonder whether they would be a good fit for this rewarding but sometimes challenging career.
Are you interested in a career as an addictions worker, but wonder whether you would be a good fit for this role? Consider these qualities common of successful addictions professionals.
Successful Addictions Workers Are Focused on Helping, Not Judgement
Judgment and stigma are enormous obstacles preventing those who need treatment from seeking it out. The best addictions workers recognize that nobody chooses to become addicted. Instead, they know that addiction is a medical condition that can be difficult for individuals to overcome. As such, they do not focus on blame, but instead on helping their clients recover.
If you’re someone who is slow to judge and eager to help, you could be an excellent fit for a career in addictions work. Completing community service and addictions worker training can help you get a firm grasp of the biology and psychology of addiction, as well as how to help individuals living with addiction. With this foundation, you can provide caring and non-judgemental assistance to clients along the road to recovery.
Mental disorders are often at the root of addiction
Top Addictions Workers Understand the Link Between Addiction and Mental Health
It is an unfortunate truth that many individuals living with addiction gained their dependency as a result of an existing mental illness. Disorders like depression, personality disorders, and more can all be contributors to the development of addiction. This can complicate the approach required to help a client.
The best addictions workers understand this link and are mindful of the potential for other conditions being at the root of the addiction. This, in turn, informs their approach to treatment. They might advise clients to seek help from a doctor specializing in mental health as well as one specializing in addiction, for instance, as a part of a broad approach to a client’s recovery.
If you’re someone who is always mindful of the big picture, you could excel at this part of addictions work. Enroll in an addictions worker diploma program to gain a deeper understanding of the link between mental illness and addiction as you prepare for a career that allows you to help others.
An eye for detail and good organizational skills are highly valuable in addictions work
Need to Be Organized and Thorough to Manage Complex Cases
With something as serious as addiction, it is of vital importance that careful documentation of client interactions be kept. This ensures that all steps involved in helping a client are tracked, that progress is monitored carefully, and that solutions directed at helping clients find greater well being are pursued according to ethical and legal guidelines. Perhaps unsurprisingly, top addictions workers are detail-oriented and great communicators, able to compile accurate and informative reports that offer immense value within the process of client treatment.
If you’re someone who has a keen eye for detail and strong organizational skills, you can put them both to great use in a career assisting individuals with addiction. Things like the correct language and terminology to use can be picked up in addictions training and will allow you to translate your underlying ability into something that helps make a difference every day.
Do you want to become a great addictions worker?
