SOCW 6103 Week 9 - Discussion 2: Clinical Supervision

Week 9: Addiction and Society

You alone can do it, but you cannot do it alone.

—O. Hobart Mowrer, behavior therapy psychologist

Stan is a desperate twenty-three year-old sitting in his room alone, depressed, and contemplating suicide. He feels hopeless because his substance addiction is taking control of his life. He does not want to die but he is scared to reach out for help. He has tried to stop his substance use without success. He wonders if he can find someone else who is going through the same thing, who understands what he is going through, and who might help him get better. With that thought in mind, he begins researching addiction treatment on the Internet.

This week, you consider the role of groups and community support in the recovery of addiction. You explore ways that social interactions might assist an individual in recovery from addiction to maintain sobriety. Finally, you explore your insights from attending a 12-step program meeting and considering how it might impact your future as an addiction professional.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

· Analyze society's obligation in addiction recovery

· Analyze the role of community support and group approach in the recovery for individuals with addiction

· Analyze the benefits of clinical supervision

· Analyze the challenges of clinical supervision

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2016). Foundations of addictions counseling (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Pearson Education, Inc.

· Chapter 10, "Group Therapy for Treatment of Addictions" (pp. 217-239)

· Chapter 12, "12-Step Facilitation of Treatment" (pp. 263-284)

Bogo, M., Paterson, J., Tufford, L., & King, R. (2011). Interprofessional clinical supervision in mental health and addiction: Toward identifying common elements. The Clinical Supervisor, 30(1), 124–140. 

Laschober, T. C., de Tormes Eby, L., & Sauer, J. B. (2013). Effective clinical supervision in substance use disorder treatment programs and counselor job performance. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 35(1), 76–94.

Whitely, C. E. M. (2010). Social work clinical supervision in the addictions: Importance of understanding professional cultures. Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 10(4), 343–362.

White, W. L. (2010). Nonclinical addiction recovery support services: History, rationale, models, potentials, and pitfalls. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 28(3), 256–272. 

Nonclinical addiction recovery support services: History, rationale, models, potentials, and pitfalls by White, W. L. in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 28(3), 256–272. Copyright 2010 by Taylor & Francis Informa UK – Journals. Used with permission from Taylor & Francis Informa UK – Journals via Copyright Clearance Centre. 

Discussion 2: Clinical Supervision

Clinical supervision is not only needed in the early stages of a career, but is often beneficial if used throughout a career. It is important to understand that clinical supervision is a healthy aspect of clinical work and not an indication of lack of knowledge. No matter how good an addiction professional you are, it is important to consult and connect with other professionals about cases.

For this Discussion, read this week's resources and explore benefits of clinical supervision in addiction treatment and consider how supervision might change over a counselor's career.

Post a 300-word description of two benefits of receiving clinical supervision throughout your career as an addiction professional. Then explain how that supervision might change over the addiction professional's career. Support your response using the resources and the current literature.

Must contain at least 3 references and citations.