The relationship between you and your addiction counselor will be very unique. Your relationship is based on trust and respect and differs greatly from other relationships that both you and your counselor engage in. If you are suffering from addiction you may likely be cautious, especially in your relationship with your counselor. The counselor is typically trained on how to gain your trust and how to be of comfort to you and your needs. Therefore, you are likely to talk to your counselor about things that you would never talk to anyone else about. This builds a connection that is very different from other relationships.
Since you rely heavily on your counselor to listen, your counselor must be in a personal place to be able to be portrayed in a way that helps you. For example, it would hypocritical and not professional for your counselor to attend a session with you if they are hung over. Other things to consider would be your counselor’s physical appearance including the way that they dress and mental stability. You probably do not want to hear about your counselor’s cheating husband.
It is also very important for your counselor to recognize when there may be periods of time that they should seek personal counseling for themselves. For example, if your counselor is having a hard time with their own child who may be abusing drugs then they should maybe talk to someone else about it instead of keeping it in or even worse, talking about it to you.
The most important thing for your counselor to be aware of is the boundaries that they establish. You may have a very different view of the relationship between you and your counselor. For example, please understand that your counselor should not attend self help meetings with you such as AA. Your counselor should help you understand completely how they view your relationship. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the relationship between you and counselor you can always ask them. If you still feel uncomfortable then switching counselors or asking for a second opinion would be an option too.

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether the information that is being read is following an evidence-based practice. It is important to find out though as information about recovery-oriented addiction treatment that is not evidence-based practiced can be ineffective if used or interpreted in any situation.

Evidence-based practice is a practice that will utilize research and studies to support an outcome. When reading about recovery-oriented addiction treatment, it is important to look for research points and real life effective situations that have occurred. There is a great website called http://www.nrepp.samhsa.gov/Index.aspx that will list many evidence based interventions that have been reviewed by their staff. Because the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is part of the United States Health and Human Services, the above website would be very reliable. For example, while I was browsing all of the interventions, I came across “Alcohol: True Stories hosted by Matt Damon.” This is basically a set of motivational videos and trainings geared for those in treatment programs. All of the information has been supported by SAMHSA which include the quality of research, outcomes, targets, and costs. It also lists strengths, weaknesses, and provides a plethora of research information like how it was conducted and so forth.

The best way to determine whether the information that I am reading about recovery-oriented addiction treatment supports it as an evidence based practice is to thoroughly research either through the SAMHSA website, or other means, to be sure that the research is thorough and reputable. Googling and reading the first answer that comes up in the search is not a good way to research information about recovery-oriented addiction treatment. There is much more that goes in to quality information and unfortunately, with the way the web is designed it takes understanding and critical thinking to sort through the un-reputable information that is out there today.

There are many new trends taking place in the field of addiction treatment. Addiction treatment today focuses on much more than treating an addiction alone. Addiction treatment will help individuals treat their bodies as well as their minds. Treatment focuses on the whole person and includes motivational techniques that can be used to help aid in the healing process. One example is the new trend of motivational interviewing which involves expressing empathy without criticism during the initial interview process.
Technology is growing as well. People are relying on the web for treatment purposes and guidance. This new trend forces old-school type of recovery programs to embrace technology in a way that has never been before. With the power of facebook, twitter, and text messages, information is much obtainable than ever before.
Diet and exercise is also becoming more popular as integration with counseling and other psychological approaches. Due to the overwhelming amount of research that has been done recently, it is critical for people in recovery to eat healthier and exercise more. This in combination with other methods has been a growing trend.
Having counselors become more culturally competent is also a newer trend. It is being known that different cultures require different approaches for addiction treatments to be successful. This is why many addiction counseling programs provide culturally related material to understand before obtaining certificates in the field.
There are many more categories that involve current trends and the above are just a few. The field of addiction treatment is constantly changing and requires professionals who are not resistant to change. With technology, research, and clinical trials, it is important for chemical dependency professionals to have an open mind all the time and not get stuck practicing the same way every time. Everybody will have different needs especially with age and cultural differences. Chemical dependency professional must adapt to their needs and use their knowledge to embrace differences.

It is important to know that there are certain laws that have been established to protect you. Substance abuse disorder can be classified as a disability. Because of this, you may be protected by the ADA (American Disability Act).
The WIA (Workforce Investment Act) prohibits employers from discriminating against those who are in recovery or treatment as long as you are able and qualified for the position. Also, current employees are entitled to FMLA if they need to use the time for treatment. The FHA is similar. It protects discrimination of those who are in recovery or treatment.
There are loop holes to consider though. If you are currently using illegal substances, they would not be protected, except for health care. For example, employers and landlords can prohibit the use of illegal substances to qualify for employment or housing.
Other areas that must not discriminate include government assistance, health care and private education. Discrimination happens often and will continue until more people understand the specifics. Many times, people of authority do not even realize that they are discriminating. Knowledge is power and it is up to you to know and understand your rights in order to protect yourself.

If you are thinking about going into recovery there is a lot to consider. Having support though is something that is highly recommended. Not everyone will want or even need the same support system and what works for someone else may not work for you. Know your options and try them all! You may not connect right away but give it time. Below is detailed information about what a support person can do for you.
A counselor is a person with a professional license that allows them to give guidance to individuals or groups who are seeking support. A counselor will have a combination of education, training, and licenses all of which will vary depending on the state that they will practice in.
A peer mentor is someone who is can provide mentoring to individuals not at an authoritative level. A peer mentor typically has encountered similar situations as the person they are mentoring. For example, a peer mentor in the chemical dependency field is typically someone who is in recovery themselves. Peer mentors are able to be empathetic to their peers. Every person who receives mental health help or services has different needs. While some individuals thrive with their counselors, others may thrive with a peer mentor. Oftentimes, people will open up to somebody who has “been there, done that.”
A sponsor is part of the 12-step program and is somebody who has completed the program. Sponsors work hand in hand. For those who are sponsors, helping someone else keeps them on track and provides confidence. It is their way of giving back to the community. For the person who is being sponsored, a sponsor is someone who can guide them, help them, and be there for them through the difficult times that they face during sobriety. Sponsors often develop lifelong friendships with those who they sponsor and the idea is to keep the program in full circle.