I have an offer to work part time and run sessions at an IOP (intensive out patient).  I am leaning towards doing it because it will be a good career experience and I've been talking about wanting to break away from kids and more into adult substance abuse treatment for a long time.

Been musing though cuz I know the people in the IOP will be the same but also different than the ones I see in AA meetings.  I anticipate they will be sicker and more entrenched in lies and the BS that goes along with active addiction.  I can't afford to get "mad" at them though like I feel sometimes when I read about the behaviors of qualifiers on this board.  That would be countertransference and it would be bad.  It will also be different than sponsoring...

This will be a test of my boundaries.  But hey, if I can help one person get sober....

I do want to say that this board has been a big part of me moving in this direction.  I always wanted to help alcoholics but never had the full picture of the fall out and how it's a family disease.  I do not like that I learned that through the pain of others on this board....but I am grateful and wanted to let you all know that this is some of what I've been getting by participating here. 

Part of me thinks the IOP should consist of them sitting through some alanon meetings to listen to how the disease really hurts their loved ones...Most will be full of self-hate and self-pity anyhow so that wouldn't help...

Any feedback appreciated.

I do hope you get a chance to help others by using what you've learned from these boards and from your own walk, as well. I kind of agree about addicts coming into an Al Anon meeting. I know a lot of double winners and I noticed that they attend more Al Anon meetings than AA meetings once they are sober for a few years. It's just a different perspective and it's why I enjoy AA meetings, as well. Best wishes on your new adventure, keep us posted!!!

Go for it.....learn from the experience my friend

 

 

The disease isn't getting any weaker Pink and the population isn't getting smaller and so for me its natural for your love of helping to be tested.  I learned that alcoholics are "risk takers".  That comes from the psycological profile of the alcoholic...so you're a survivor of the disease and still a risk taker with more knowledge and experience; better you than someone less qualified.  I experienced part of what grateful mentions in her share and for which worked for me and I can add to it..."To be a good counselor; have a good counselor" (do not try this at home alone).  Have a great sponsor and a solid relationship with that sponsor.  The counselor because of "that" side of recovery and sponsor because of "this" side of it.  IOP most often favors psychological recovery or change where as you also have the powerful benefit of the spiritual recovery model...For me I had to keep reminded where the lines lay regarding "clinical" model and "social" model.  My sponsor reminded me "you cannot sell a 12th step" and my counselor "keep your story away from their story".   I got it...I kept my awarenesses of my experiences with the disease quiet and used it as a filter when my clients where talking about theirs.  That allowed me to "touch" on issues of my experiences within the disease and ask them how they dealt with it.  LOL often that worked very very well and sometimes my clients would accuse me of reading their minds.  Other times it brought us much closer in relationship as they learned that I also knew where they were at...it took away alot of guess work and broke down latent denial.  Professionals have mentioned it as being a sort of tool of selective manipulation...not a bad thing and very useful.  I believe that most alcoholics and addicts in the industry of counseling have it and can use it beneficially.   I worked IOP on all levels...adolescent to adult and from individual to family...I was given the responsibility for outpatient family therapy also which included marriage.  My experience is this...If PinkChip has got it...its because God wanted you to have it in order that you use it for that reason.  It's a God's will thingy...you won't fail at it  Stay humble (teachable) and act like you know what you're doing cause most of the time the alcoholic and addict isn't listening to you...their watching your body language to find the openings and alley ways.  Most of them will be there because they were told to be there by outside powers greater than themselves including the alcohol and drugs.   You know this already and so you're already one up on them and just need the room to demonstrate.    I'm cheering PinkChip...Look out IOP...life's about ready to change.    ((((hugs)))) 

Pinkchip:

This sounds like a wonderful opportunity, and I know I speak for many of us on this board when I say that we come here specifically looking for your posts and responses, they are so helpful! I do not have experience with substance abuse counseling, but in my teaching experience I felt that it was a huge positive step to change the age group I was working with for many years (taught at a music school college level for many years and have now been teaching at the elementary level, best move I have ever made!).

Please let us know how it's all going, and good luck to you!

Mary