Paraprofessional versus professional drug counselors: diverse routes to the same role

The backgrounds and roles of ex-addict ( EXA ) and non-ex-addict (NEA) paraprofessional methadone maintenance and drug-free out-patient counselors were contrasted with those of degreed professional counselors (PRO). There was no evidence of differential assignment of clients to counselors based on drug use, drug treatment, criminal, educational, and employment histories. The three counselor groups were remarkably similar in their participation in 11 areas of job activities ranging from counseling duties per se through administrative support functions. The only reliable difference was the greater involvement of EXAs in counseling and community education activities which took them outside the program.