Addictions Treatment Workforce

The field of addictions treatment and recovery is facing a crisis. The need for addictions treatment surpasses the treatment resources currently available. In 2006, the 21.1 million people in the U.S. needed treatment but did not receive it (SAMHSA OAS, 2006). One reason for this gap is that the current treatment workforce is too small and unprepared to meet the growing need for services. At the same time, the treatment and recovery field is part of a profession that is undergoing profound changes. Many of the treatment programs, government agencies, and professional associations that exist today were started in the 1970s, a time when the nation was just beginning to confront an unprecedented prevalence of drug abuse. Since then, the workforce has changed. Counsellor requirements are different. Knowledge and understanding about addictions and recovery have advanced. Laws have changed. New drugs of abuse have emerged. So have new treatments. The only constant is the fact that addiction continues to devastate individuals, families, and communities. This book addresses the specific needs of addictions treatment and recovery professionals and will help in understanding the current challenges and future directions of the addictions field and how they apply to workforce development.