Help seeking for AOD misuse among social workers: patterns, barriers, and implications.

Area of Science:

• Social Work
• Addiction Studies
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Social workers encounter alcohol and other drug (AOD) problems.
• Limited understanding exists regarding how social workers manage their AOD issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the frequency of help-seeking for AOD problems among social workers.
• To identify types of assistance obtained, perceived helpfulness, barriers to seeking help, and the link between help-seeking and impairment.

Main Methods:

• Survey data collected from members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
• Analysis of help-seeking behaviors, types of support, perceived benefits, barriers, and professional impairment.

Main Results:

• Social workers infrequently seek support for AOD problems, even those at high risk.
• Personal reasons were cited as barriers, yet peer support and formal treatment were found beneficial when sought.
• Help-seeking behaviors correlated with various professional impairments.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists in understanding social workers' AOD help-seeking behaviors.
• Barriers prevent many social workers from accessing beneficial support systems.
• Further research and practice implications are needed to address AOD issues within the social work profession.