1 Core Functions
In the 1980s, a consortium of states developed the core functions during a time when the field was undergoing a push toward standardized education and training. This was an important era in terms of recognizing the need for professional standards in this unique and growing field. The global criteria, which provide essential guidance for how to fulfill the criteria, were added over time and reflect current standards for counselors in the field.
The 12 core functions are fundamental to understanding the work of the addictions counselor and their integral role in the field. They outline the duties performed by substance use disorder counselors, while also detailing a roadmap of how the functions work in a treatment setting. Each function is described below, followed by the global criteria that define the function and an explanation of how they work in practice.
Twelve Core Functions of the Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counselor
I. SCREENING: The process by which the client is determined appropriate and eligible for admission to a particular program.
Global Criteria:
- Evaluate the psychological, social, and physiological signs and symptoms of alcohol and other drug abuse.
- Determine the client’s appropriateness for admission or referral.
- Determine the client’s eligibility for admission or referral.
- Identify any coexisting conditions (medical, psychiatric, physical, etc.) that indicate the need for additional professional assessment and/or services.
- Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies governing alcohol and other drug abuse services.
Explanation:
This function requires the counselor to consider a variety of factors before deciding whether or not to admit the potential client for treatment. It is imperative that the counselor use appropriate diagnostic criteria to determine whether the applicant’s alcohol or other drug use constitutes abuse. All counselors must be able to describe the criteria they use and demonstrate their competence by presenting specific examples of how the use of alcohol and other drugs has become dysfunctional for a particular client. The determination of a particular client’s appropriateness for a program requires the counselor’s judgment and skill and is influenced by the program’s environment and modality (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, residential, pharmacotherapy, detoxification, or daycare). Important factors include the nature of the substance abuse, the physical condition of the client, the psychological functioning of the client, outside support/resources, previous treatment efforts, motivation, and the philosophy of the program. The eligibility criteria are generally determined by focus, target population, and funding requirements of the counselor’s program or agency. Many of the criteria are easily ascertained. These may include the client’s age, gender, place of residence, legal status, veteran status, income level, and the referral source. Making a reference to agency poli