Essentials of Chemical Dependency Counseling

Chapter One Reflection
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Chapter One Reflection
In chapter one of “Essentials of Chemical Dependency Counseling,” Lawson, Lawson & Rivers (1996) delve into the nature of addiction and its implication for individuals and society at large. The authors demonstrate that addiction is a chronic and relapsing brain disease that affects the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of people, hence adversely affecting their operation. The most outstanding aspect of the chapter is the role of the chemical dependence counselor in the treatment process of addicted individuals.
It was an eye-opener to discover that counselors with personal experience with their recovery can use it to the advantage of the client. I used to believe that a personal experience of recovery for a counselor is detrimental. However, Lawson, Lawson & Rivers (1996) demonstrate that such a personal experience enables chemical dependence counselors to empathize with clients and to speak from personal experience. Moreover, I discovered the need for...