Addictions

Counselling an Addict

Dealing with addiction is a complex area, there are many pitfalls and the decision made by those managing treatment of substance abuse need to understand the way in which the different theories may give guidance in to the correct management. The hypothesis of this paper is that “work adjustment theory” would be preferable to use with a client rather than Holland’s theory types.
Work adjustment theory is a theory that put forward the idea that individuals like to maintain a positive relationship with environment. Usually associated with work this is a generally positive view of the individual. In the environment that they are placed in there will be the needs of the individual and the needs of the situation, inmost studies this is the work needs of the employer and the environmental setting. The way in which the individual will then adapt in order to fit in with the needs and there may be some adoption on the part of the environment gives a fit where there should a fit achieved. This is a relationship that is based on reciprocity, with balances between the satisfiers and the dissatisfiers and pshycologcal reinforcements., The underlying idea is that there is a very clear and inextricable link between the individual and the environment in which they are placed.,
Then job of a counsellor needs to be one that will understand the situation in which a patient or client feels they are facing and the way that interactions with the environment will influence behaviour though positive or negative reinforcement. This theory is one where there is an adaptation on the behaviour of the individual in order to find the best fit with that environment. Environmental factors in addiction are important influence’s as are the different reactions and adaptations that individuals make in order to adept and develop a positive relationship with that environment. For an addict to recover there also needs to be consideration of the way in which they undertake the adaptation and the interpretation f the influences. For an individual to change their behaviour there is a need for them to understand that behaviour and the way to control or moderate that behaviour. This theory provides a good basis form which to start the discovery process where the client will develop an understanding for themselves. With the value of the reciprocity there is also the ability to help the client develop better behaviour patterns and see rewards for those changes.
There are disadvantages and well as advantages in using this as a framework, in looking to external as well as internal factors there is a danger that blame will initially be placed on the environment in an effort to excuse behaviour. This is a common trait in many addictive personalities, looking to place blame elsewhere. The councillor needs to be aware of this possibly and guide the addict back onto the right track, with increased emphasis being on the clients actions and reactions in adopting and controlling, or not controlling the environment in which they are seeking to fit in with.
If this is compared to Holland type theories there are many advantages. Holland types are another theory where there is seen to be a fit between the individual and the environment. However, there is a different emphasis here. The theory here is also one that is often used in the work place, and states that individuals will make occupation choices as a result of their personality type and the way that they will seek out a match between the environment and their personality type.
The argument is that there will be an attraction to specific type of jobs by specific personality types. Underlying this theory are four main assumptions, and it is here that the disadvantage may start to be seen when before we consider the application of the overall theory to the management of a client with substance abuse and addition problems.
The idea that there are only six types of personality and six types of environment is constraining, if this was true then all careers advise in school and job types would have relatively narrow job descriptions. This would also mean recruitment would take place not only on skill but also personality type and environment type in a more scientific manner. As this does not occur in many occupations it may be argued that this theory may not be seen as widely accepted as a reason for job placement. This is also based on western anions, as a multi cultural society there will be different models of personality that this model will not allow for.
The fact that people may search for environments where they can use the skills they have as well as express their on attitudes and reveal their values. This assumes that the individual will want to be challenged and grow. In many cases it may be argued that with issues such as addiction there is also a desire to escape, in effect a failure of this model to materialise. Addictive behaviour works on several layers, the behaviour itself may be an escape, brought about as a reactions to the environment. Although it maybe argued that there are addictive personality, there are many other facts such as environment and family background that will also impact on the occurrence and prevalence of addiction.
The advantages of this model are that they may help to explain the behaviour of an addict, seeking an environment where they feel they fit in. For many this may be with other addicts or those that are unable to notice or comment on the client’s addiction. There may also be an explanation find out why the addiction began, such as a failure to find the right environment or being in the wrong type. However, this knowledge, although helping to understand an addict and understanding who they may be able to better fit in with the world does not offer a route back to the non addictive world.
The Holland personality types offers a myriad of reason for the addiction, it also offers numerous reasons for the individual to feel they have little self value and self respect. The road to recover is the regaining of the these aspects of life, with a full recognition and acceptance of the problem and a desire to make a better life by taking responsibility for their own lives. The Holland theory types places an almost inevitable onto individuals, categorising them into several groups ands condemning them to this type of classification. The work adjustment theory is a more proactive rather than reactive theory. If can be used to look back, without the apparent need to make a judgment on an addict. More importantly it can be used as a framework for exploration and self management by the addict with guidance and indicates the ways in which the individual can take control of themselves, even if they cannot change their environment. Here they can change their reactions to that environment and readjust to form a different interaction equation. This is a ore positive model, and with a style of guiding clients and helping them see for themselves this must be seen as the more preferable model to use.