I’m work in drug and alcohol misuse work and have a person history of addiction. Should I disclose this fact
Should clients that I work with know this fact about me?
the agency that I work for have just (this week) announced that they don’t want people to disclose. When asked why the manager stone walled and said it’s policy if you don’t like it leave. Sadly I wasn’t there when this was said (on holiday) look forward to meeting her next week
Asked by:nick b
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MadforMAC posted: 01 Jun at 6:31 pm
You bet you should. Why? For one thing when you disclose that to clients then they understand that you know what they are going through and have a chance to recover using you as an example of that.
Alex62 posted: 04 Jun at 11:28 am
Depends on your role and your relationship with your clients. On the one hand, it might be useful for them to know. On the other, what and how you talk about addiction should convey that you do know what you’re talking about. That you were an addict in some ways is irrelavent. Of course, you also need to look at for yourself and consider how your employer views revealing your past. I wish there was an easy answer, but the ‘right’ one is situation specific, maybe even client specific.
Nutsters-Chick posted: 06 Jun at 4:44 pm
should you disclose the fact?
that’s entirely up to you whether you tell them or not.
as you understand from personal experience what addiction is & what it can do, why feel ashamed?
it should go in your favour.
HELENe posted: 09 Jun at 3:06 am
yeah your own personnel experiences can help u in working with people, its called empathy
karen h posted: 11 Jun at 6:32 am
honesty is always the best policy & it will also show your clients that there is hope for them to turn their lives around too.
Helly posted: 12 Jun at 9:38 pm
OK so I’m trying to stop/keep off drugs and i would love to know that my councillor knew exactly how hard it is to do. I don’t think anyone can understand me unless they have experienced the same problems as me. I know that’s practically impossible, but as far as the drugs are concerned, yes i think it’s helpful for people you are helping to know that you understand because you have been there and done that!
sedona posted: 15 Jun at 1:47 pm
I think you should be honest about it, because if you’re not the truth will come out eventually
Patsygirl posted: 16 Jun at 5:18 pm
If you are clean now, yes you should tell them.Tell the head of this work. If you are clean he or she should keep this in confidence.
Minxy posted: 16 Jun at 10:07 pm
Absolutely.
For clients to know about your history they will feel more
at ease with you knowing what they are going through.
In these days of Equal Opprtunity this is why you do not have
to disclose information about yourself. It is a good thing, this
is to safeguard yourself and it is entirely up to you.
Be brave and be positive. You will be helping a lot of people.
Good Luck to you. Minxy.
dodgeboynorwich posted: 20 Jun at 2:02 am
i think you should ask your boss about it and explain that you think it will help if you disclose since you can be an example maybe these people might even turn out be helping other people themselves in the future but ASK your boss or you could end up having a bad work record and no job i sure the company or agency will explain the answer maybe your boss is against this but rules are rules managers dont like some of the rules they are paid to follow but there allways a reason (good or not)
Denise B posted: 22 Jun at 9:08 pm
ask to see the policy document.
arniesmum posted: 25 Jun at 8:07 am
damn right cos i know in my case also former drug and alcohol addictions that i am more likely to listen to someone whos been there done that got the badge and the t shirt for the sheer fact that they do know what they are talking about
Mona Lisa posted: 28 Jun at 4:06 am
I’m a recovering alcoholic, and I sponsor someone who is an addictions counselor and know several others in AA who are. This topic is a big one among them. All of them work for rehab centers where they are told NOT to disclose. I understand the reasoning behind this in “standard” counseling but in addictions work I think the counselors should disclose their history. I know my own rehab counselor did (this was 9 years ago), and I was glad that he did. Addicts always have so much shame and hopelessness, and think they are so bad and that everyone is different from them–it helps to know that the professional you’re working with has been in your shoes and understands addiction from personal experience.
saralminx posted: 28 Jun at 11:22 pm
definately
it really would be disapointing if you could not disclose this
but i have friends who are recovering addicts and one of them works at the alchahol and drug centre as a councellor
it would benefit you for 2 reasons
one your clients will have faith in you
and two you have shown that there is hope for them
please check your job policy document and speak to your employer as ive never heard pf not being able to tell your clients as this benefits them a great deal and has no disadvantages to you
it helps them to relate to you a lot more
good luck
Karen H posted: 01 Jul at 8:29 am
i was a drug and alcohol abuse worker many years ago and it was policy that we did NOT disclose to clients about my personal problems with alcohol and drug addiction. You CAN say that you understand, but do NOT go into details of your personal life with clients. It really isnt good practice. Speak to your line manager about this, and check out what the policy is within your company, you need to hear it direct from them and their reasons for it.