Provider Preparedness for Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders: Comparison of Social Workers and Alcohol and Drug Counselors

Preparing social workers for practice with LGBT populations affected by substance use: perceptions from students, alumni, and service providers

“…Findings from this study demonstrate that the majority of social work students and alumni identify as LGBT allies and are committed to working with LGBT substance-affected consumers, but at best they rate themselves as only somewhat ready and prepared to work with these populations. Similar to responses in studies reporting the lack of substance use disorder content in social work curricula in the U.S. (Fisher, McCleary, Dimock, & Rohovit, 2014) and the U.K. (Galvani & Allnock, 2014;Galvani, Dance, & Hutchinson, 2013;Galvani & Forrester, 2011), these responses suggest that MSW and CADC curricula are lacking in content and training on how to work with LGBT substance-affected consumers. This is problematic considering the higher than average rates of substance use disorders that disproportionately impact LGBT communities (Cochran et al, 2003;Cochran & Cause, 2006;Institute of Medicine, 2011;McCabe et al, 2010), as well as the increased risk for suicide among…”

“…Several recent studies highlight the need for schools of social work in the U.S. (Fisher, McCleary, Dimock, & Rohovit, 2014) and the U.K. (Galvani & Allnock, 2014;Galvani, Dance, & Hutchinson, 2013;Galvani & Forrester, 2011) to better prepare and train students to serve clients with substance use disorders. These findings suggest social work education has historically neglected to incorporate substance use disorder content into curricula.…”

The Alcohol and Other Drugs Education Program for Social Work Faculty: A Model for Immersion Training

“…The first assumption is that empirically-supported AOD identification and treatment methods are not sufficiently taught in schools of social work due, in part, to a lack of knowledge and training among social work faculty. As described above, this assumption is supported by ample evidence indicating that social workers are not currently receiving sufficient training in AOD identification and treatment (Bina et al, 2008; Fisher et al, 2014; Galvani et al, 2012; Galvani & Hughes, 2010; Hutchison et al, 2013; Russet & Williams, 2015; Wilkey et al, 2013). This assumption is also consistent with research published in this Special Issue suggesting that—prior to immersion training—ADEP participants report only superficially covering AOD-related content in their teaching in an array of core social work content areas and that this lack of integration is related to a lack of faculty knowledge, confidence, and expertise (Krull et al, 2018; Lundgren et al, 2018).…”

“…Indeed, findings from a growing body of research suggest that many social workers report feeling underprepared to engage with clients who have AOD use disorders, largely due to a lack of AOD-related knowledge and advanced training (Bina et al, 2008; Galvani, Dance, & Hutchison, 2012; Galvani & Hughes, 2010; Hutchison, Galvani, & Dance, 2013). Recent evidence suggests that, compared to alcohol and drug counselors, social work clinicians receive far less instruction in AOD and report a greater need for continuing education in AOD use disorder screening and treatment (Fisher, McCleary, Dimock, & Rohovit, 2014). Notably, the observed deficiencies in AOD-related clinical skills and knowledge are not limited to generalist social work practitioners.…”

Introduction to the Special Issue: Educating Social Workers about Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorders

“…And yet, ample evidence suggests that social workers, in general, have a lot of room for growth in terms of implementing state-of-the-art practices for addressing AOD-related problems. Indeed, a rather large body of research suggests that many social work students and MSW-level social workers feel underprepared to engage with individuals experiencing problems with AOD, and that significant gaps in AOD-related clinical skills and knowledge exist (Bina et al, 2008; Fisher, McCleary, Dimock, & Rohovit, 2014; Galvani, Dance, & Hutchison, 2012; Galvani & Hughes, 2010; Hutchison, Galvani, & Dance, 2013). Overall, it appears that, despite our strategic presence in communities and organizations where AOD screening, brief intervention, and treatment could be implemented, we are often woefully underprepared to address AOD-related problems with clinical skill and scientific knowledge.…”