Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T02:49:09.108Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Why School Counsellors and Psychologists Should Treat Addiction Problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Nadine Pelling*
Affiliation:
University of South Australia, Australia
*
City East Campus, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia. Email:[email protected]
Get access

Abstract

School counsellors and psychologists will encounter students affected by addiction. When this occurs many will simply refer the students to specialist services within the community. Such referrals are not always an appropriate action for many reasons. School counsellors and psychologists have the professional characteristics required to create a therapeutic alliance and know the behavioural strategies needed for basic addiction treatment. It is suggested that school counsellors and psychologists add some basic knowledge, awareness, and skill relating to addiction to their professional development and, when possible, address the addiction problems of their students directly. Arguments regarding why school counsellors and psychologists should treat addiction problems are given. Moreover, how school counsellors and psychologists can briefly address addiction problems is outlined. Finally, resources on addiction are provided.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Publications. (1998). Statistics on drug use in Australia. Retrieved 6 May, 2003, from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/health/sdua98/index.htmlGoogle Scholar
Arrendondo, P. (1999). Multicultural counseling competencies as tools to address oppression and racism, Journal of Counseling and Development, 77, 102108.Google Scholar
Arrendondo, P., Toporek, R., Brown, S., Jones, J., Locke, D.C., Sanchez, J., et al. (1996). Operationalization of the multicultural counseling competencies. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 24, 4278.Google Scholar
Australian Guidance and Counselling Association. (2003). Australian Guidance and Counselling Association web site. Retrieved 6 May, 2003 from http://www.agca.com.auGoogle Scholar
Australian Psychological Society. (2003). Psychology and substance use: Potential contributions and professional training needs. Melbourne: Author.Google Scholar
Ballie, R. (2001a). Teen drinking more dangerous than previously thought. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 12.Google Scholar
Ballie, R. (2001b). Children and parents are having different conversations about substance use. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 16.Google Scholar
Carpenter, S. (2001). Research on teen smoking cessation gains momentum. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 5455.Google Scholar
Daw, J. (2001). Substance abuse linked to learning disabilities and behavioral disorders. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 65.Google Scholar
DeAngelis, T. (2001a). Substance abuse treatment an untapped opportunity for practitioners. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 2426.Google Scholar
DeAngelis, T. (2001b). Today's tried-and-true treatments. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 4850.Google Scholar
Dodes, L. (2002). The heart of addiction. New York: Harper Collins.Google Scholar
Dodgen, C.E., & Shea, W.M. (2000). Substance use disorders. San Diego: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Fanning, P.O., & Neill, J.T. (1996). The addiction workbook. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications, Inc.Google Scholar
Fisher, G.L., & Harrison, T.C. (1993). The school counselor's role in relapse prevention. School Counselor, 41(2), 120126.Google Scholar
Fowler, R. (2001). The greatest threat to our nation's health. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 9.Google Scholar
Foxhall, K. (2001). Adolescents aren't getting the help they need. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 5657.Google Scholar
Kocarek, C.E., & Pelling, N. J. (2003). Beyond knowledge and awareness: Enhancing counselor skills for work with gay, lesbian, and bisexual clients. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 31, 99112.Google Scholar
Miller, W.R., & Brown, S.A. (1997). Why psychologists should treat alcohol and drug problems. American Psychologists, 52(12), 12691279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morrison, M.A. (1991). Overview: Kids and drugs. Psychiatric Annals, 21(2), 7273.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Newlon, B.J., & Furrow, W.V. (1986). Using the classroom to identify children from alcoholic homes. The School Counselor, 33(4), 286291.Google Scholar
O'Connor, E. (2001). On the front lines. Monitor on Psychology, 32(6), 3031.Google Scholar
Pedersen, P. (1988). A handbook for developing multicultural awareness. Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling and Development.Google Scholar
Prochaska, J.O., DiClemente, C.C., & Norcross, J.C. (1992). In search of how people change: Applications to addictive behaviors. American Psychologist, 47, 11021114.Google Scholar
Regier, D.A., Farmer, M.E., Rae, D.S., Locke, B.Z., Keith, S.J., et al. (1990). Comorbidity of mental disorders with alcohol and other drug abuse. Journal of the American Medical Association, 264, 25112518.Google Scholar
Reynolds, J., & Anderson, R. (1995). Elephants hiding in the classroom: Identifying children of chemically dependent parents in the school setting. TCA Journal, 23(2), 2027.Google Scholar
Sales, A. (1999). Substance abuse and counseling: A perspective. Greensboro: Clearing house on Counselling and Student Services. (ERIC Digest No. ED435893).Google Scholar
Scavincky-Mylant, M. (1984). Children of alcoholics: Children in need. Family and Community Health, 7, 5162.Google Scholar
Schofield, M.J., & Pelling, N. (2002). Supervision of counsellors. In McMahon, M. & Patton, W. (Eds.), Supervision in the helping professions: A practical approach (pp. 211222). Frenchs Forest NSW: Pearson Education Australia.Google Scholar
Sitharthan, G., Sitharthan, T., Kavanagh, D.J., & Saunders, J.B. (2001). Brief opportunistic intervention: The role of psychologists in initiating self-change amongst problem drinkers. Australian Psychologist, 36(3), 219226.Google Scholar
Sue, D.W., Arrendondo, P., & McDavis, R.J. (1992). Multicultural counseling competencies: A call to the profession. Journal of Counseling and Development, 70, 477486.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vail-Smith, K., & Knight, S.M. (1995). Children of substance abusers in the elementary school: A survey of counselor perceptions. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 29(3), 163177.Google Scholar