Drug Addiction Workers

Job description

These individuals help people struggling with addiction and those at risk of developing an addiction. They aim to improve their quality of life and well-being. They assess the profile, situation, and physical and mental health of these people. They recommend various treatment options adapted to their needs. They design and lead educational workshops on different types of addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling, internet addiction, etc.) and their harmful effects. They work for:

Government agencies and community organizations
Medical clinics
Youth centres
Therapy centres and safe houses

Environment

Controlled ambient temperature
Violence

Main tasks

Establish the history of the person struggling with addiction issues.
Evaluate individual and environmental resources, limitations, and risk factors, using a psychosocial approach.
Establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with the person.
Conduct regular check-ins with clients in therapy centres during the treatment period.
Intervene in the event of episodes of severe intoxication or withdrawal.
Understand the various effects of psychotropic drugs, the contexts in which they are used, and the profile of those who are at risk.
Take part in prevention and awareness activities with groups of individuals of every age.
Write progress notes and maintain files up to date.

Advancement and mobility

Experience and additional training enable these individuals to move into a variety of positions (marriage or family therapists, social workers, probation officers, etc.).

Training and requirements

Formation

Sometimes required

Experience in social services as a volunteer or in support services may be a substitute for educational requirements for certain occupations.
Training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.
Certification or diploma related to the duties of the position or industry is often required.
A Class 5 driver's licence may be required.

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

Active listening
Oral expression
Social perception
Critical thought
Data collection

Service oriented
Reading comprehension
Judgment and decision-making
Solving complex problems
Result evaluation
Persuasion
Negotiation
Teaching
Coordination
Information processing
Written expression
Time management
Active learning
Learning strategies
System analysis
Systems evaluation

More Less skills

Abilities

Speech recognition
Awareness of issues
Oral comprehension
Verbal skills
Deductive reasoning

Speech clarity
Written comprehension
Inductive reasoning
Auditory attention
Near vision
Selective attention
Hearing sensitivity
Idea generation
Written expression
Classification
Originality
Information organization
Time sharing
Colour perception and distinction
Visualization
Memorization

More Less abilities

Knowledge and attributes

Capacity to establish and maintain interpersonal relations
Capacity to influence and mobilize
Capacity to adapt
Capacity to work in a team
Capacity to be discrete
Availability
Capacity to facilitate a group
Open-mindedness
Knowledge of psychology
Knowledge of therapy and counselling

Interests

Draft, communicate, and inform
Watch, defend, and secure
Assist and advise

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Additional information

Appellation d’emploi liée (à traduire)

Social and community service workers (CNP 42201)

Skill type

Education, law and social, community and government services