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Section 1:
Introduction to the Transdisciplinary Foundations
The Transdisciplinary Foundations
Addiction professionals work in a broad variety of disciplines but share
an understanding of the addictive process that goes beyond the narrow
confines of any one specialty. Specific proficiencies, skills, levels of involvement
with clients, and scope of practice vary widely among specializations.
At their base, however, all addiction-focused disciplines are built
on four common foundations.
This section focuses on four sets of competencies that are transdisciplinary
in that they underlie the work not just of counselors but of all
addiction professionals. The four areas of knowledge identified here
serve as prerequisites to the development of competency in any of the
addiction-focused disciplines.
The Four Transdisciplinary Foundations
I. Understanding Addiction
II. Treatment Knowledge
III. Application to Practice
IV. Professional Readiness
Regardless of professional identity or discipline, each treatment provider
must have a basic understanding of addiction that includes knowledge of
current models and theories, appreciation of the multiple contexts within
which substance use occurs, and awareness of the effects of psychoactive
drug use. Each professional must be knowledgeable about the continuum
of care and the social contexts affecting the treatment and recovery
process.
Each addiction specialist must be able to identify a variety of helping strategies
that can be tailored to meet the needs of individual clients. Each
professional must be prepared to adapt to an ever-changing set of challenges
and constraints.
Although specific skills and applications vary across disciplines, the attitudinal
components tend to remain constant. The development of effective
practice in addiction counseling depends on the presence of attitudes
reflecting openness to alternative approaches, appreciation of diversity,
and willingness to change.
The following knowledge and attitudes are prerequisite to the development
of competency in the professional treatment of substance use
disorders. Such knowledge and attitudes form the basis of understanding
on which discipline-specific proficiencies are built.
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