Relating substance abuse counselor background to the provision of clinical tasks.

This study examines the diverse academic and professional background characteristics of substance abuse treatment counselors, relating these characteristics to the work counselors are doing. Results indicate that while academic and professional background characteristics differentiate whether counselors perform certain clinical tasks or not, they do not differentiate the amount of time they spend doing them. In fact, regression analyses indicate that academic and professional background characteristics currently account for less than 10% of the total variability associated with how counselors spend their time.

The toughest job you'll ever love: a Pacific Northwest Treatment Workforce Survey.

The training, recruitment, and retention of the most qualified professionals for the substance abuse treatment workforce is a crucial underlying strategy in the improvement of client care. Conducted in the year 2000, this survey of substance abuse treatment agency directors and clinical staff in the Pacific Northwest of the United States provides the first empirical estimates of issues surrounding these goals and points to the need for more aggressive strategies if a quality workforce is to be maintained and improved. Results of the survey indicate that there is an average of 25% turnover per year among treatment agency staff, and that the vast majority of this turnover is voluntary and stays within the treatment profession.