Recovered Addicts Working in the Addiction Field: How do Substance Abuse Treatment Agencies Work with Substance Abuse Relapse among Addiction Counsellors who are in Recovery?

Doukas, Nick; Cullen, Jim

doi:10.4172/2155-6105.1000106

Cited by 3 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 18 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Whilst these are important theories for counselling practice there seems to be limited research that directly explores the impact of identification in the shared experience with the client, especially from the perspective of the therapist (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Rowan & Jacobs, 2003;Wosket, 1999). There are studies that explore identification within the context of person centred and psychodynamic theories relating to empathy, countertransference, transference and projections (Ehrenberg, 1995;Racker, 1972;Rogers, 1951;Watkins, 1985;Zimberg et al, 1985).…”

Section: Therapist's Identification With the Clientmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…White (2000b) suggested that being in recovery from addiction does not qualify or disqualify an individual from being an addiction counsellor and it is important not to idealise the pain of addiction. Doukas & Cullen (2011) proposed that existing studies focused on RACs were few and outdated, and counselling practice would benefit from qualitative studies that explored new understanding from the perspective of the RAC. Several authors have suggested that an underestimated problem for the RAC is relapse to alcohol consumption (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Kinney, 1983).…”

Section: Research Directed At Racs Working With Alcoholic Clientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A vulnerability of the RAC working with the alcoholic clients is relapse to alcohol consumption, despite previous recovery (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Kinney, 1983;Nerenberg, 2009;White, 2000b). A therapist relapsing can be detrimental to the client's progress in therapy, as not only will they have a change of therapist, any hope in the recovery process may be destroyed (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Nerenberg, 2009;White, 2000b).…”

Section: The Rac's Vulnerability To Relapsementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Historical literature evidences that a helper who has endured a past trauma similar to someone else's suffering, can offer additional healing qualities to the sufferer (Conti-O'Hare, 1998;Jung, 1961). However, some authors' caution that the therapist's past wounds may potentially interfere with the process of therapy and be detrimental to the client's progress towards problem resolution (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Jung, 1966;White, 2000b). Despite these conflicting views, little seems to be known from the perspective of the therapist, about how the counsellor views and experiences the client when there is a shared trauma experience with the client (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Rowan & Jacobs, 2003;Wosket, 1999).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some researchers propose that shared experience offers symbiotic healing for the client and therapist, whilst other authors propose the shared wounds are detrimental to therapy process. Despite these conflicts little seems to be known about how the counsellor experiences and views the shared relationship with the client (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Rowan & Jacobs, 2003; Wosket, 1999). This qualitative grounded theory study investigated the views and experiences of 10 Recovering Alcoholic Counsellors (RAC) who work with alcoholic clients.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Counselling Psychology

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many counsellors have shared trauma experience with their clients. However, there seemed to be mixed views on how this shared experience might impact on the client and therapist. Some researchers propose that shared experience offers symbiotic healing for the client and therapist, whilst other authors propose the shared wounds are detrimental to therapy process. Despite these conflicts little seems to be known about how the counsellor experiences and views the shared relationship with the client (Doukas & Cullen, 2011;Rowan & Jacobs, 2003; Wosket, 1999). This qualitative grounded theory study investigated the views and experiences of 10 Recovering Alcoholic Counsellors (RAC) who work with alcoholic clients.The findings of the current study suggested that therapy with the alcoholic client related to the therapist managing their own recovery from alcoholism, which involved processes of building a self-identity, identifying with the client and fearing relapse.The alcoholic identity was maintained and actively used in the therapy work with the client, despite the RAC claiming long term recovery. Identifying with the client appeared to activate shame and increase a fear of relapse for the RAC. These processes appeared to affect a potential dependency on the client work. These factors were reflected to be influenced by AA philosophies, which also affected a bias towards certain therapy interventions. Potential over-identification appeared evident in protective empathic enmeshment and hostile countertransference reactions. This included a possible and concerning coercive interpretation of affording tough-love to clients, potentially causing abuse to the alcoholic client.Positive reflexive practice, self-awareness and compassionate practice were also evident. Feeling deep empathy in the shared experience was suggestive of empathic enmeshment and possible symbiotic healing processes taking place.Other benefits and issues of the shared experience are explored and discussed further. Recommendations are suggested to increase safe therapy practice for counsellors working with alcoholic clients and future research direction has been proposed.ii

show abstract

Section: Therapist's Identification With the Clientmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Research Directed At Racs Working With Alcoholic Clientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Rac's Vulnerability To Relapsementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Counselling Psychology

2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

A grounded theory exploration into the experiences of recovering alcoholic counsellors working with alcoholic clients

Henderson¹

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Symptoms of AIDS Related Opportunistic Infections and Their Effects on Human Body

Jeevani¹

2013

J AIDS Clin Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

HIV viruses have long term effects for the immune systems and further develop a number of varied illnesses such as fever, diarrhea, tuberculosis, pneumonia and skin infections. This condition is termed as AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Once the immune system is sufficiently weakened, such infections will develop and produce any of a wide range of symptoms. Some can be very severe some may lead to various cancers. There is no exact prediction for these symptoms. HIV testing is the only source to diagnose. The most difficult aspect of HIV/ AIDS is that though there are medicines, which can help with these illnesses but there is no vaccine and no cure for the HIV, so almost all the infected people become more and more ill and eventually die. It is important for every individual to know and understand about this infection. J o ur nal o f A ID S & Cli n ic a l R es earc h

show abstract

Recovered Addicts Working in the Addiction Field: How do Substance Abuse Treatment Agencies Work with Substance Abuse Relapse among Addiction Counsellors who are in Recovery?

Cited by 3 publications

References 18 publications

Counselling Psychology

Counselling Psychology

A grounded theory exploration into the experiences of recovering alcoholic counsellors working with alcoholic clients

Symptoms of AIDS Related Opportunistic Infections and Their Effects on Human Body

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About