TAP 21 - SAMHSA Store - Substance Abuse and Mental Health ...

Addiction Counseling Competencies
Appendix A – Glossary
This glossary contains descriptions of key words used in this Technical Assistance Publication.
The descriptions of the terms reflect the usage of the terms in this document. The descriptions
are not intended as universal or complete definitions of the terms.
Active listening – a counseling skill that enhances rapport and demonstrates interest and
understanding through the use of verbal and nonverbal acknowledgment of client statements.
Addiction – a chronic, relapsing disease of the brain with social and behavioral manifestations
marked by continued alcohol or drug use despite negative consequences.
Addiction counseling – professional and ethical application of specific competencies that
constitute eight practice dimensions, including clinical evaluation; treatment planning; referral;
service coordination; individual, group, and family counseling; client, family, and community
education; and documentation.
Advocacy – (1) a social or political movement working for changes in legislation, policy,
and funding to reflect clients’ concerns and protect their rights (i.e., advocacy for clients);
(2) a philosophy of substance abuse treatment practice maintaining that clients should be
involved actively in their own treatment and have rights in its planning and implementation
(i.e., advocacy by clients). Much of advocacy is about shifting the system from the directive
model to one in which the client is an empowered, involved participant in treatment decisions.
Biomedical – pertaining to the biological and physiological aspects of clinical medicine.
Biopsychosocial – the biological, psychosocial, and social influences in human development
and behavior.
Case management – see “Service coordination.”
Client – individual, significant other, or community agent who presents for alcohol and drug
abuse education, prevention, intervention, treatment, and consultation services.
Collateral sources – persons or organizations providing pertinent information about a client
(can include family members and legal, educational, and medical personnel).
Competency – specific counselor functions comprising requisite knowledge, skills, and
attitudes.
Confidentiality – a client’s right to privacy as defined by applicable Federal and State statutes.
Confidentiality rules and regulations – rules established by Federal and State agencies to
limit disclosure of information about a client’s substance use disorder and treatment (described
in 42 CFR, Part 2B 16). Programs must notify clients of their rights to confidentiality, provide a
written summary of these rights, and establish written procedures regulating access to and use
of client records.
Confrontation – a form of interpersonal exchange in which individuals present to one another
their observations of, and reactions to, behaviors and attitudes that are matters of concern.
Feedback is provided on behavior, and an appeal is made to the client for personal honesty,
truthfulness in dealing with others, and responsible behavior.
Content – the subjects discussed in the context of counseling.
170