Counselor training as a treatment method for alcohol and drug abuse

Based on the "helper-therapy" principle, a group of predominantly chronic alcohol- and drug-dependent individuals were trained for new careers in alcohol-drug counseling. A 2-month preinternship in alcohol or drug treatment centers served as a screening procedure for motivation and sobriety. Prior to training, measures of personality and self-concept were taken as well as demographic information. A 4-month training course covered broad educational and technical areas, including counseling procedures with participation, and physical conditioning. The 13% who dropped out were compared to the completers and found to differ only in extent of past antisocial history and less certainty about social drinking and abstinence. The pre-post measures of the completers indicated significant improvement in all areas of self-concept and on most of the MMPI scales. A 1-year post follow-up self-report questionnaire revealed that 74% of the respondents were employed, 59% in counseling or related areas. Less than 10% reported moderate regular use of drugs of alcohol, less than 2% heavy usage or addiction. Overall the program appears to have had sustained positive effects.