The Effects of Specialized Training in Alcohol Information for Counseling Students

Abstract

The alcoholism problem in the United States has reached proportions impossible to ignore. It follows that we need trained professionals in significant numbers to deal with the alcoholic population. Graduate programs, however, provide little or no course offerings in the area of specific training for dealing with alcoholics. In academia some attempts have been made to address this situation. However, budget restrictions, limited marketability of counselors with specialized training, and the superiority of the generalist training model are some of the main arguments that have compromised adequate chemical dependence training. The research literature, however, is replete with studies indicating the need for specialized training to prepare mental health professionals to work as competent alcohol counselors. The focus of this research was to examine the effect of specific training for counseling students in preparing them to work with alcoholic clients. The results of the analyses indicated that a training session specifically designed for working with alcoholic populations significantly increased the objective knowledge base of counseling students, although the single training session was not enough to significantly improve subjective judgment and response scores. This research emphasizes a need for specialized training in counseling programs for alcohol counselors. Further, it is implied that training programs should include at least one semester-long course on alcohol remediation for counseling students.

Graduate Training of Counselors in the Addictions: A Study of CACREP‐Approved Programs

“…Fourth, as McDermott et al (1991) suggested, the position of professional organizations can be important in bringing about change in the substance and quality of training for counselors.…”

“…Some areas of inquiry were suggested by review of the literature (McDermott et al, 1991;Schlesinger, 1982;Selin & Svanum, 198 1). Question areas included demographics regarding students and faculty, full-and part-time; faculty training, research interests, and professional affiliations; curricular offerings in the addictions, required and elective; opportunities for further clinical or research work in chemical dependency for students or faculty; provisions for student placement (practicum, internship) in agencies that work primarily with substance abuse or dependency; as well as related professional issues.…”

“…Focusing specifically on counselor education, McDermott, Tricker, and Farha (1991) indicated that there is a need for focused and specialized training in substance-related issues. Lack of such training, they suggested, shows itself in the reluctance or the inability of counselors to identify, treat, or refer persons with substance issues.…”

Inclusion of Substance Abuse Training in CACREP-Accredited Programs

“…Recent research has suggested that the helping professions have been slow to respond with quality training in this area (Morgan & Toloczko, 1997) and that current training and education of helping professionals in the area of addictions may be inadequate (Chappel & Lewis, 1997;Deitch & Carleton, 1997;Glass, 1989;Montgomery, 1993). McDermott, Tricker, and Farha (1991) found that there was a need for focused and specialized training in substance-related issues. They indicated that the lack of such training for counselors was manifested in the reluctance of these professionals to identify, treat, or refer persons with substance abuse issues.…”

The Pennsylvania State University's Chemical Dependency Counselor Training Program: Addressing the Needs of Educators and Addiction Specialists

“…Yet, even with an advanced degree, the literature supports the need for specialized and ongoing training for those who work in the area of chemical dependency (McDermott, Tucker, & Farha, 1991).…”