Volume 25

Issue 6

Winter 2011

Newsletter of the West Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals

31st Annual Fall Conference- Wild ,Wild WV - The New Frontier: Partnership, Integration & Opportunity

- Susie Mullins Our focus at this year’s conference

was on partnership, which has really been the theme for

WVAADC’s operations over

the last year.

Together we can accomplish more

than any of us can

alone and with the task ahead of us it

will take all of us

working together

to achieve our goals. There were 243 in attendance this year which is almost a record and certainly a number we

haven’t seen for many years. We enjoyed a new venue

this year at Stonewall Resort and as with any changes we had some growing pains that we are addressing to make

next year even better. The conference planning committee

did an outstanding job. Keeping in mind we are all volunteers with very busy lives outside the conference, I

want to thank each and every person who helped prior,

during and after the conference. We enjoyed some great

speakers and we are in the process of making the power point presentations and hand outs available on the

www.wvaadc.com website.

The auction was a great time for a great cause- the Jim Hearn Scholarship Fund. The committee receives far more

requests for scholarships than we can we can award

however, this year 13 people were funded with either

partial or full scholarships! Although we primarily depend upon the auction for the scholarship fund we accept

donations all year round for those of you who may want to

contribute. We want to recognize the generous donation from the WV Certification Board of Prevention and

Addiction Professionals of $1000 which caused quite a stir

during the high spirited bidding war at the auction. We have over $4200 in the fund to award for scholarships next

year!

Our awards banquet was a great demonstration of

partnership with esteemed guest speakers Cynthia Moreno-Tuohy, NAADAC Executive Director, Jane Callahan,

CADCA Executive Director along with our Deputy

Commissioner from BHHF, Kim Walsh and Tammi Lewis, WVCBAPP President. Few states are fortunate

enough to bring together the top echelon to celebrate the

accomplishments of our organization. We recognize that

we went way past the allotted time and that we missed

recognizing the newly certified professionals- and for that

we are truly sorry. We have sent individual letters of apology to each and have recognized them on our website

home page for the last 2 months.

As I said, we had some growing pains and we take your feedback seriously, so next year’s banquet will start with

recognition of the newly certified professionals from 2011

& 2012 prior to any speakers or programming. Please know that we review every single evaluation of the

conference and the individual sessions and we do our best

to keep the things you like and adjust to address the things

that you think could be better. I do want to respond to

some of the criticism of

our acknowledgement of BHHF. First, we

wouldn’t have been able

to have the conference at Stonewall had it not been

for the negotiation power

of BHHF. Secondly,

BHHF contributed over $55,000 to our conference,

without their contribution each member would have

had to pay an additional $226. Lastly, BHHF staff

contributed greatly to the planning and on site assistance in

meeting the needs of our attendees. Many state

associations do not enjoy the support and partnership of their Single State Authority as we do in WV.

Let me be clear, everything we do as a committee and as a

board, is done with the members in mind- we try to do the

greatest good for the greatest number- do we achieve perfection? The obvious answer is no-of course not- do we

do our best? The answer is absolutely! The best we

possibly can especially with having no paid staff. It is easy to criticize and come up with a list of should and

should nots- so if you want to be part of the solution we

welcome participation from any of our

members in planning

and executing the

many, many details that have to be

addressed to pull off a

conference of this size and caliber.

From Your President – Susie Mullens Let me start by saying how proud and humble I am to have been elected as your new president-thank you and I will do my best to carry forth the mission and goals of WVAADC . I became involved with WVAADC through the fall conference with the goal of increasing the offerings for those of us who work with adolescents, which led to chairing the conference (a true labor of love), which led to the challenge and opportunity that has been presented as I follow Randy Housh to take our organization into the future. The “orientation handbook” says “this is a working board” and whoever wrote that wasn’t kidding. Every member of the board works very, very hard during the year with your best interest in mind. I make this point to give some kudos to the board members but also to let you, the members, know some of the behind the scenes work that takes place all year for the benefit of our members and the addiction counseling profession as a whole. We meet 5 times a year- 4 board meetings that usually last 5-6 hours followed by a day and a half board retreat. The word “retreat” has many meanings- “a place affording peace, quiet, privacy or security”, “a period of seclusion, retirement or solitude”. Using those definitions I think using the word “retreat” for our meeting is a misnomer. Although we meet in seclusion from a large group in a quiet, peaceful setting there isn’t much “retirement or solitude”; rather there is team building, bonding, planning, eating, group processing, reflection, strategizing, creating and lots of laughter! We have had a lot of business to tend to over the last 3 years and this year was no different BUT we were able to start proactive planning for the future this year. We re-visited the last strategic plan and created an action plan for the upcoming year. We are asked to create an action plan to submit to NAADAC and one of the items is to increase our membership by at least 10%. We currently have 130 members which means we need 13 new members over the next year. We recognize the constraints this tough economy puts on everyone and we appreciate you continuing to spend your hard earned money to be members of our association and we try to bring relevant & timely information to you. Our professional development committee has 3 regional trainings planned for the next 7 months, followed by the 32nd Annual Fall Conference October 2-5, 2012. Tuesday March 6, 2012 is our next regional training and WVAADC’s Day at the Legislature! We have held an Advocacy in Action day for several years (we've called it Legislative Day, Lobby Day, etc.). This will be our first year having exhibitors. WE

want YOU to come out and help us fill the Capitol to educate legislators about the critical issues of prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery! Exhibit space is free as the cost is being paid for by WVAADC. The regional training is free and open to the public, for WVAADC members who need CEU’s there is a $20 charge (non members $40). More info to come (follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and at www.wvaadc.com for the most up to date info). As you are aware, we have begun working in earnest on moving toward licensure for WV addictions counselors. We have been talking with our counterparts in Indiana and reviewing certification and licensure requirements in all states to draft a thoughtful plan for WV. We have been talking with the WV CBAPP (“Cert Board”) and have a meeting planned for December 10, 2011 to begin working on the “Sunrise Application”. The sunrise application is a 28 question application which has to be completed and submitted before we can move forward to draft legislation to create a professional license. We also feel that educating legislators has to be a top priority so we are launching a yearlong pilot project called “Ed-gislate 2012”. We will be delivering an educational packet to legislators once a month which will include documents from NAADAC, SAMHSA, NIAAA, NIDA along with a personal letter from WVAADC encouraging them to learn more about prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery . The education of our law makers is critical for many reasons. First, the Governor has made the issue of substance abuse a major topic and has created the Governor’s Substance Abuse Task Force with community level input and planning. Second creating a sustainable funding stream for the continuum of care is likely going to take a legislative act (i.e. passage of a beer tax which will create funding for prevention & treatment); and Lastly if we are to gain their support of a license they are going to need to see the importance of having a credentialed work force. So as you can see there is MUCH work to be done and we are going to need you all to achieve these goals. If you signed up to be part of a committee and you haven’t been contacted, or if you feel moved to take an action with YOUR association, I ask that you contact me via email with your area of expertise or interest and I will get you connected to the correct committee chair on the board. And if I may ask a few things of you over the next few months: 1. Attend as many of the regional Governor’s task force meetings as you can; 2. Help us increase our membership by getting at least one colleague to join; 3. Plan to attend March 6 day at the legislature.

Respectfully & humbly, Susie Mullens

Page 2

Elections: This year we, the members voted in the executive board: Susie Mullens as President Wanda Wyatt – President Elect Angie Wagner as Secretary Linda Mealey as Treasurer We had three board positions open. The board members are Judy Acree, Russ Taylor and Sheila McBride. As President: Susie Mullens was able to fill the vacancy positions. Sheila McBride, from Westbrook, has graciously accepted the position of Secretary. We want to welcome Steve Burton, from Problem Gamblers Help Network, and Greg Puckett, from Community Connections have been appointed to the board.

The Board would like to thank Angie Wagner, Chris Byers, Liz Campbell and Barry Row for the work as board members. Recently they have

stepped down from the Board. We have one vacancy to fill, if anyone is interested in serving on our board; please submit your name to either Susie Mullens or Wanda Wyatt.

Monday – October 3, 2011 3rd Annual Walk/Run for Recovery

5418 Walnut Street near the

Shadyside Market

Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: 412-681-8755

Toll Free: 877-681-8755 http://www.journeysoflifeonline.com/

email info@journeysoflifeonline.com

Journeys of Life for books, gifts, music, candles, guided imagery,

aromatherapy, 12 step recovery and more for Life's Choices, Challenges & Celebrations

Dates to know: WVAADC Board Meetings- open for all members

who wish to attend December 10, 2011 Dunbar: WV Meeting with Cert Board 10am. February 25, 2012 Sharpe Hospital- 10am. May 19, 2012 Moorefield, WV-10am. July 28, 2012 Elkins, WV-10am. Regional Training Seminars March 6, 2012 WV Capitol, Charleston, WV May 18, 2012 Moorefield- topics are Bullying & Suicide prevention (3 hours each) June 2012 Parkersburg- topics are Working with GLBTQ & Working with Service Members, Veterans & their Families (each 3 hours) 2012 Fall Conference Oct 2-5, 2012 Stonewall Jackson Resort- Limited to 300 due to fire code & our setup plans

Page 3-

West Virginia Association

of Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors, Inc. Board Members

Executive Committee:

President: Susie Mullens

Immediate Past President: Randy Housh,

President Elect: Wanda Wyatt

Secretary: Sheila McBride

Treasurer: Linda Mealey

Chairpersons:

Public Policy: Russ Taylor

Judy Acree

Greg Puckett

By Laws: Frank Masters

Awards: Steve Burton

Wanda Wyatt

Membership: Steve Burton

Dixie Pritt,

Wanda Wyatt

Nominations and Elections: Randy Housh,

Ethics: Sandra Streets

Professional Develop :

Susie Mullins

Sheila McBride

JoAnn McNemar

Communications: Linda Mealey

Non-Board Member: Peer Assistance: Ronni Rittenhouse-President’s Appointment

I knew that somewhere in

those stacks were the bills

that affected my clients

and my profession.

ADVOCACY CANNOT BE ANONYMOUS! -Judy Acree

MARK THE DATE – MARCH 6 2012 – ADVOCACY DAY AT THE CAPITOL!!!! So you may be wondering, “Why?” If

you have ever attended our “day at the capitol” you already know why we need YOU. If you have not… please read on with an open mind and a willing spirit. ADVOCACY – is defined as “giving aid to cause – ACTIVE verbal support for a cause or position”. It is so easy for us to sit behind our desks and proclaim we are advocates for our clients, for our profession and for issues regarding our clients, programs and profession. It is the ACTIVE part we sometimes get confused about. I have heard people say, “I advocate for my clients everyday and my profession everyday by going to work and doing my job – that alone shows my clients that I care about them.” POLITICS –defined as “activities associated with government - the theory and practice of government, especially the activities associated with governing, with obtaining legislative or executive power, or with forming and running organizations connected with government; AND power relationships in a specific field - the interrelationships between the people, groups, or organizations in a particular area of life especially insofar as they involve power and influence or conflict”. I have heard people say, “Politics, politics, politics, I want nothing to do with politics, just let me do my job and see clients.” I have heard people say, “It’s all politics, no one really in Charleston really cares about my clients or my job.” I have heard people say, “Politics, politics, politics, blah blah blah – what’s the point, legislators will do what they want to do and will please who ever can benefit them.” Question: So what does ADVOCACY have to do with politics? Answer: EVERYTHING! Question: What does POLITICS have to do with advocacy? Answer: EVERYTHING! Question: What can our voice change? Answer: EVERYTHING! Question: Is it easy and will it change things overnight? Answer: OF COURSE NOT! That’s when we lose interest and decide it doesn’t do any good so why waste our energy….. BOTTOM LINE: We have got to be political to advocate for our clients, our profession – our passion!! POLITICIANS may have the POWER – but we have the FUEL that can EMPOWER them to our benefit! There was a time in my career when I believed just seeing my clients everyday was enough. There was a time when I believed I truly could change the broken systems, red tape, “politics”, etc by just seeing my clients. There was a time when I could easily use the words HATE and POLITICS in the same sentence and thump my chest and say, “I don’t need the politics or the politicians” and truly believe that. Then one day I had a “paradigm shift”. Although I can still say I hate the politics that is sometimes involved in what we do, I have truly learned to VALUE the legislators and what they do. It happened one day at a WVAADC Legislative Day at the Capitol as it was called at that time. As we walked from one legislator’s office to the next, I saw something that literally frightened me. I saw stacks and stacks of House and Senate bills sitting on the desks of our legislators. I saw stacks and stacks of messages from voters

regarding this bill or that bill. I knew that somewhere in those stacks were the bills that affected my clients and my profession. And I wondered how in the world could the legislators possibly read, study and research all the stacks of things on their desks? How could they possibly gather all the information they needed to make the decisions that awaited them? I saw legislators running from meeting to meeting with this group or that group and that was when the light bulb exploded in my head! The fastest and easiest way for a legislator to learn about the bills is to HEAR from those being affected by their decisions. The most powerful impact for them was to see a face, a person and to hear the voice of someone directly affected. Then it hit me – they probably hear from those most who oppose a particular bill or change – you know the term “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”. That is who they hear from because the rest of us are sitting behind our desks

thinking we are making our contribution. Whether we like it or not – POLITICS and legislators can change the entire course of our

direction with the flick of a pen on a bill. If you want to make a difference in how they see the field of prevention, addiction, recovery and addiction professionals – then we have to first of all let them SEE US, in person – face-to-face! They need to hear our voice – they need to know what we do, what we struggle with and what we need to effectively do our jobs. They need to hear stories of lives that have changed because of our contribution and hard work. They need to hear us advocating for our clients, our programs, our

profession. ADVOCACY CANNOT BE ANNOYNOMOUS!!!!! We cannot be silent and hope to empower the legislators. There are issues we need to be vocal about right now. WVAADC has decided to launch an educational campaign to

legislators. We have titled that campaign “Ed-gislate 2012” and our plan is to send them eye catching literature relevant to prevention, addiction and recovery issues each month for the next year. We also plan to use the momentum generated by the Governor’s Substance Abuse Task Force. There are many interested stake holders involved in the Governor’s Substance Abuse Task Force and we need to make sure that the voice of the substance abuse professionals is heard above all others. We need you to help us do that and what better way to put the

“action” in your advocacy than to join us at the Capitol. See ya at the Capitol March 6, 2012!

-Page 4-

WVAADC Advocacy In Action Exhibit space is free

March 6, 2012 WV Capitol, Charleston, WV We prefer that you register to be an EXHIBITOR ON LINE at

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=9jffjudab&oeidk=a07e5bvo7y56587be34&o

seq=a002gan76j4g but you may send in your registration information as well. Exhibit space is free to you, the cost is being paid by WVAADC. Registration is required by February 6, 2012. Exhibits will be located in the upper rotunda at

the Capitol Building in Charleston, WV. For further information contact JoAnne at jamcnemar@yahoo.com or 304-541-

2097. We encourage you to bring educational materials and give a-ways. Mail to: Jo Anne McNemar P.O. Box 2192 <> Clarksburg, WV 26302-2192

REGISTRATION FORM FOR EXHIBITORS FOR WVAADC’S DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE

NAME OF EXHIBIT/AGENCY_____________________________________________________ ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________

EMAIL:__________________________________________ PHONE:_____________________

WVAADC Advocacy In Action Regional Training We prefer that you register on line at

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=9jffjudab&oeidk=a07e5bvo7y56587be34&o

seq=a002gan76j4g but you may send your individual registration & payment to:

JoAnne McNemar <> P.O. Box 2192 <> Clarksburg, WV 26302-219 The Advocacy In Action training is open to the public & free unless you need CEU’s.

REGISTER BY FEBRUARY 15, 2012

CEU’s are $20 for WVAADC members and $40 for non members-

Make Checks Payable to WVAADC, Inc. No refunds will be available for this training.

NAME:________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________

EMAIL:___________________________________ PHONE:______________________________

"May all Christians have a Merry Christmas, may all Jewish have a Happy Hanukkah and for those of you that choose to celebrate other holidays during the season-may you all have Peace, Health & Happiness for the season and a Happy New Year!" -Susie Mullens

Page 5-

From Your Editor:

WWVADC Board takes pride in awarding and recognizing your outstanding commitment and dedication in the field of addiction treatment and prevention. So please take a few minutes and nominate a colleague for a job well done, or someone who deserves to be recognized. WVVADC Counselor of the Year Award honors an individual who represents what we all strive for: commitment and dedication to the client, profession and community.

Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has demonstrated commitment and dedication in efforts through treatment, education, or other avenues to advance the field of addictions treatment and prevention.

Jim Hearn Scholarship Awards . Jim Hearn was a founding member and the first president of WVAADC. Jim reached out and helped those who needed assistance on a regular basis, whether it be his clients or a colleague.

WVAADC each year honors Jim in presenting scholarships in the hope that they will light a fire under an up-coming individual in the treatment and prevention of addictions. Also to add, it’s to REWARD colleagues for a job well done in the field of addictions.

Scholarships are available to attend the conference for individuals who would otherwise be financially unable to attend. Full scholarships cover the cost of the conference registration and lodging. Partial scholarships are available which cover the cost of registration.

Any WVAADC member in good standing may submit nominations for the Jim Hearn Scholarship Award. Consideration will be given to individuals who are WVVADC members in the process of obtaining certification or pursuing a degree in the addiction profession.

All nominations should include the nominee’s name, address, phone number and an overview outlining why this person would benefit from attending the 2011 Fall Conference. Please mail, e-email, or fax nominations to

Wanda Wyatt Co-Chairperson Awards

Committee 25 North Avenue, Petersburg,

WV 26847 Fax: 304-257-1945

e-mail: wwyatt@frontiernet.net

-Page 6-

Counselor of the Year:

Binicki has been employed at FMRS since 1994. Initially she served as a case manager with those who had diagnoses of mental illness, but a significant number of the consumers she served also had co-occurring substance use disorders. During the time that Binicki has been at FMRS, she has earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling, has earned her AADC, and for the past 10 years, she has been a counselor in the LEARN Program, a 20 bed men’s residential program. Binicki is known for her soft voice and mannerisms. In the earlier days when substance abuse treatment programs were known for heavy confrontation, Binicki might have seemed out of place, but in fact, her more gentle approach has, for years, worked to effectively lower resistance and enhance client motivation for change. She treats all people with respect and she, in turn, is well respected by both her colleagues and her clients.

Distinguished Service Award: Hilry has working the addiction for years. She marches to a different drum, she is a leader, and at times is a great follower. She has served on the WVCAPP board. She promotes education, team work, and professionalism in anything that she is in involved in. She currently works in private practice.

This year WVAADC was able to bring 13 people to the

conference with the Jim Hearn Scholarship Fund.

The awards this year were given to participants for their

hard work in the field of addiction, including prevention

and treatment. Thanks for your service to the field.

Joe Masters, Kevin Lane, Robert Wilson, Eve

Fisher, Cindy Williams, Jessica Cunningham, Kim

Hotlosz, Chrystal Webb, Hilry Gordon, Cindy

Richardson, Lynette Otto and Randy Landes.

WVAADC President Awards Bill Perkins Award:

Impact Award:

WVCBAPP Awards Excellence in Prevention

Lisa Grossi Award:

Page 7

2011

A

wa

rd

s

WHEN ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS

RELAPSE Ronni Rittenhouse, Ph.D., AADC

Recently, Elliott Birckhead, Director of the Office of

Consumer Affairs and Community Outreach, WV Bureau

for Behavioral Health & Health Facilities, sent out an email

regarding the issue of what happens when addiction counselors relapse. His email was then forwarded to

several other addiction professionals, starting a chain of

thoughts on the topic. Mr. Birckhead provided a posting from the blog “Behavioral Healthcare,” citing a quote from

Dottie Saxon Greene, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS, assistant

professor at Western Carolina University, who said “It’s a serious problem that continues to be ‘conspicuously’

ignored.” Ms. Greene’s speech at the 2011 National

Conference on Addiction Disorders (NCAD) was titled

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell: Relapse and Impairment Among Addiction Professionals.” Mr. Birckhead’s email resulted

in a flurry of emails that reflect a level of concern about

this and related issues among addiction professionals in West Virginia. It seems that the time has come for us to

begin a dialogue about this, and we invite you to share your

thoughts with your colleagues through discussion as well as by sending out comments to this newsletter, Professional

Contact.

Some of the issues that have been raised related to

addiction counselor relapse include: loss of anonymity when attending 12-step meetings when colleagues or

clients attend the same meetings; fear of being fired from

one’s job for relapsing if one’s secret comes out leading to counselors suffering in silence; fear of “making the

profession look bad” or contributing to the impression that

treatment doesn’t work; bias toward one form of recovery

(such as 12-step programs) over others; and treating professionals who relapse on drugs or alcohol in a different

manner from those who have other health-related relapses,

such as depression. As Susie Mullens pointed out in the email she contributed,

West Virginia does have a peer assistance program which

is free, confidential and available on a voluntary basis to those working in the field as well as to their family

members. (Contact Ronni Rittenhouse at 304-277-5261.)

This puts us leaps and bounds ahead of many States which

do not have any such program. Nonetheless, we are left with many questions that deserve careful consideration and

discussion. Should addiction professionals be required to

self-report if they relapse (or if they have ever had a problem with addiction or abuse?) Should employers or

colleagues be required to report addiction professionals

who relapse? If so, to whom? Should a program be instituted charged with the case management and

structuring of recovery agendas or treatment plans for

addiction professionals who have relapsed, similar to the

program that physicians and PAs report to? (West Virginia Medical Professionals Health Program) Should the

WVAADC Peer Assistance team, which is appointed by

the president of the WVAADC, be enabled to advocate for addiction professionals who have relapsed, gotten back on

track with recovery and been negatively sanctioned in the

workplace?

When physicians complete renewal application for their licenses they are asked “Have you been treated for

substance abuse or mental illness since the last renewal?”

The licensure board allows physicians who would normally have to answer yes to these questions to answer no if they

participate in the WVMPHP. The medical practice act and

the rules of the board of medicine and the JCAHO and AMA say it is a physician’s duty to be cognizant of a

fellow physician’s impairment and report it. The PHP

reports every relapse to the Board. In theory all the

professions are held to report colleagues. Pharmacists have the “pharmacy recovery network” which is more tightly

tied to their own board than the physicians’ program is. So

there are several models for this kind of program in this State alone.

What are your thoughts on these issues? Are there other,

related issues you feel we should address? Please feel free to send your ideas to the Professional Contact, or email

Ronni Rittenhouse at ronnritt@comcast.net. Responses

will be shared in a later edition of the Professional Contact.

- Page 8-

Spotlight on Services In an effort to help everyone become more familiar with the prevention, treatment, and recovery resources that are available in West Virginia, beginning with this issue of the PC, WVAADC will “Spotlight” several organizations in each issue! We want to make sure that everyone is aware of all the people and places that are working hard to prevent and treat addictions in our state. If you would like to get the spotlight on the people and organizations that you are involved with, contact Sheila McBride at (304) 485-1781 or smcbride@westbrookhealth.com for a telephone/email interview!

Spotlight on: Amity Detox and Treatment Center Address: 1011 Mission Drive-Parkersburg, WV 26101 Phone: (304) 485-1781 Fax: (304) 485-1782 We are located in Parkersburg, West Virginia and are a division of the community behavioral health center-Westbrook Health Services. Interview with: Sheila McBride MBA, AADC-Program Director Who does Amity Serve? Amity serves adult men and women with addictions to alcohol and other drugs. We maintain a 12 bed unit and take referrals from all over the state. What is the Goal/Mission of Amity? Our goal is to give each person who comes to us for help a safe, skilled, and caring treatment experience to empower them to heal, learn, and begin to practice the skills needed to enjoy life without the use of alcohol and other drugs. What services are offered? Amity is a 21-28 day, inpatient, detoxification and treatment center. Medically monitored detoxification from alcohol and other drugs. Nursing services 24/7. Skilled therapists (two AADC certified and one LICSW) who provide 3 ½ hours of group therapy and education daily. An additional 2-3 hours of supportive group therapy daily and 24/7 support staffing provided by trained substance abuse techs. Weekly individual therapy sessions. Family support and education on the weekends. Nightly attendance at local AA/NA meetings. Relapse prevention planning. Case Management and referral for follow-up care. How can Amity be reached and what is the referral process? Amity can be reached any time day or night by calling (304) 485-1781. Our preference is to accept referral information over the phone. We do a pre-admission assessment with the prospective client and gather all of the information that is needed to make an initial review to assure that he/she is appropriate for this intensive level of care. We also like to be able to speak to the person seeking services so that they may take the opportunity to ask questions about our program and what the treatment experience will be like for them. After the referral has been made, it will be reviewed by our clinical team and the person will be accepted into treatment as quickly as space allows. If a referred individual must wait to enter treatment, we offer them the names and numbers of other treatment facilities in the state and encourage them to make regular phone contact with us in the interim between referral and admission. We also accept the Statewide Referral Form and will mail or fax a copy of our pre-admission assessment if requested.

-Page 9-

This is the first of a series of articles about the Revised Code of Ethics that will appear in this and subsequent issues of “Professional Contact.”

NAADAC REVISED THE CODE OF ETHICS FOR ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS By Sandra Street, MA, AADC-S, MAC

“We counselors have a lot of power! As authorities on this terrible disease of addiction, let us be careful to never use power for petty or vindictive ends. To never thoughtlessly

reject a client. We can affirm our client’s sense of value, or we can damage them with a casual joke or comment at their expense. We can help them to respect themselves, or

we can tear down their self-esteem by treating them disrespectfully and unimportant. We have the power to do great good or great harm. Today, let me remember my power

and take care to use it wisely. -- Anonymous

This quote is the opening statement of the NAADAC Code of Ethics: Teaching Tool, the revised Code, we, as addiction professionals subscribe to and swear to uphold. The Code of Ethics reflects the ideals of our national association and of our profession in general. As addiction professionals we need to be familiar with its content and with the standards that govern our conduct as addiction professionals. The Revised Code of Ethics is divided under the following major headings and standards:

I. The Counseling Relationship II. Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation

of Client Data III. Confidentiality/Privileged Communication

and Privacy IV. Professional Responsibility

V. Working in a Culturally Diverse World VI. Workplace Standards VII. Supervision and Consultation VIII. Resolving Ethical Issues IX. Communication and Published Works X. Policy and Political Involvement

In this issue we will address The Counseling Relationship . This section contains five sub-sections: Client Welfare, Client Self Determination, Dual Relationships, Group Standards and Preventing Harm. “Client Welfare” takes into account certain ethical principles such as autonomy (allowing others the freedom to choose their own destiny), beneficence (to help others), justice (fair and equal treatment), and non-malfeasance (do no harm). “The addiction professional understands that the primary professional responsibility and loyalty is to the welfare of his or her clients…” (NAADAC). Of particular importance is the prescript to support clients in accomplishing what they can readily do for themselves, to include clients in identifying treatment goals, and to provide treatment uniquely suited to the individual and not simply some universal prescription. “Client Self Determination” addresses the client’s right to make decisions about their treatment (autonomy). This sub-section addresses fiduciary responsibility (competence in those relationships of special trust in which the clients generally do not have the resources to make competent decisions for themselves.) This sub-section call for terminating work with a client when services are no longer required or the client is not benefiting from the therapy and referring a client and thereby avoid abandoning clients. This section discusses termination for nonpayment if the client does not pose an imminent danger to self or others. It sets forth the responsibility to operate within one’s scope of professional expertise. The process of “informed consent” is outlined here, including fully disclose when clients are receiving services by supervised counselors and a brief description of the ethical responsibilities of providing information electronically.

The sub-section on “Dual Relationships” reminds us to avoid dual relationships as much as possible and addresses rural settings and small communities. It speaks of the power differential that exists, gifts from clients, and commitments with family members, friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship. No discussion of dual relationships is complete without addressing sexual behavior with current or former clients, court-referred clients, and imposing religious, spiritual, political or other personal beliefs upon the client. “Group Standards” covers confidentiality in groups and the composition of groups. Non-malfeasance (do no harm) is the ethical principle addressed in the su-section “Preventing Harm.” The professional will refrain from using threats, negative labeling, and attempts to provoke shame or humiliation. Clients are to be actively involved in the treatment planning process. The addiction professional has an ethical obligation to report conduct of another individual that is an actual or likely source of harm to clients, colleagues, institutions or the profession. This sub-section addresses the informed consent process, confidentiality, and compensation associated with research projects. For additional details consult the 2011 NAADAC Code of Ethics at www.naadac.org. Sandra Street is the Ethics Chair of the West Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals.

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The Value of Certification Tammi Lewis, LPC, AADC President, WVCBAPP

Every year during the fall conference the West Virginia

Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals has a panel discussion about Certification.

During every discussion one question that consistently

comes up is “what is value of me having this?” I hope this article answers this question.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, substance

abuse counseling is a distressed profession with existing workforce shortages, projected to grow 20 percent by

2016. The current political climates indicate it is a critical

time for the field. Both the Affordable Health Care for

America Act of 2010 and the National Drug Control Strategy have the potential to transform how the profession

is practiced in North America.

A review of many state laws and policies concerning the practice of substance abuse services make it clear that the

majority require individuals to meet a set of minimum

standards of practice to work as substance abuse

counselors or clinical supervisors. These requirements are in place because substance abuse counselors and clinical

supervisors work within the context of a unique

relationship with their clients. Substance abuse clients bring multiple health, economic, and family concerns into

the treatment setting, requiring counselors to address many

personal and confidential issues. Consequently, states and community treatment agencies have long required

counselors to hold a professional certification. With the

advance of managed healthcare and imminent healthcare

reforms, many states have now adopted licensure standards that parallel certification requirements for advanced

substance abuse practitioners.

Credentialing provides a scope of practice that:

Protects the public by setting standards;

Puts practice in line with higher education;

Raises awareness of the profession;

Provides credibility;

Demonstrates employers commitment to

competence; and

Provides a means to establish and enforce a strong

ethical code

It is important to maintain a credentialing system that will provide uniform standards to measure the quality of

services as well as assure skill levels for the professionals

providing those services.

West Virginia has a serious substance abuse problem; in a recent article in the Charleston Daily Mail (November 26,

2011), it was reported that Charleston had the second

highest drug overdose rate in the country, second to New Mexico.

This is a staggering statistic and even further reason as to

importance and value of having knowledgeable and certified professionals to meet the needs of the complex

lives of those dealing with the disease of addiction.

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The Certification Board: wvcbapp.org West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction & Prevention Professionals 1400 A Ohio Avenue . Dunbar, WV 25064 Phone: (304) 768-2942 Fax: (304) 768-1562 Tammi Lewis, President and Certification Peter J. Callahan, Past President Chuck Conner, Treasurer Rebecca Metzger, Secretary and CCJP Cathy Coontz, Prevention David Bailey, CEU's Jim Baker, Ethics Nancy Georges, Ethics Board Vacancies Anyone interested in becoming a board member on the Certification Board would need to submit a letter of intent to the Board office at 1400A Ohio Ave. Dunbar, WV 25064. Must be certified.

WVAADC secures seat on the Governors Advisory Council on Substance Abuse

On September 6, 2011 Governor Earl Ray Tomblin signed into effect Executive Order No. 5-11 establishing the Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse. This Advisory Council was appointed in response to Governor Tomblin rescinding Executive Order No. 8-04 which established the WV Partnership to Promote Community Well Being, which has now been replaced by the Governor’s Advisory Council on Substance Abuse. The Council is chaired by Dr. Mike Lewis, Secretary, WV DHHR. Other cabinet level members are as follows; Secretary, WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, Secretary, WV Department of Veterans Affairs, Superintendent, WV State Police, Presidents of the Chief of Police/Sheriff’s Association, Administrative Director WV Supreme Court, State Superintendent of Schools, ED Workforce WV and the Commissioner WV BHHF as well as nineteen (19) other appointees of which WVAADC is included. It is certainly an honor for our Association (WVAADC) to have been given the opportunity to participate with such an esteemed group in addressing the complex issues surrounding substance abuse in our state. On September 12, 2011 I (Randy Housh) your Immediate Past President was sworn in to be your representative on the Governor’s Advisory Council. In addition to me being appointed to represent WVVADC another WVAADC Board member and recent Past President, Russ Taylor was also appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Council to represent the inpatient/long term residential treatment needs in our state. Russ and I both having served as WVAADC board presidents of WVAADC and as public policy chairs, will do our best to affirm treatment/recovery’s relevance in the Advisory Council’s strategic planning. As you all are aware in years past the treatment component of our states continuum of care hasn’t always been at the forefront of state and federal initiatives and/or funding. You can be assured that now that we (WVAADC) have been given a voice/seat at the table, the fact that treatment works and that we need more of it, will be clearly stated and established as a vital and well-funded link in WV’s Continuum of Care. The Advisory Council conducted its second meeting in Charleston on December 5, 2011 and is planning to meet quarterly and work in consort with the six (6) Regional Substance Abuse Task Force meetings being held monthly throughout the state. Each Regional Substance Abuse Task force will make recommendations to the Advisory Council which will in turn make recommendations directly to the Governor. The ultimate goal is to develop a Strategic Action Plan which will have at its base community input/involvement identifying the substance related issues specific to WV communities on a

local/regional level. Specific guidelines for the Advisory Council as prescribed by the Governor are as follows:

Provide guidance to the Governor regarding implementation of improvements to the existing statewide substance abuse continuum of care.

Identify interrelated systems to increase public/private support concerning substance related issues.

Offering recommendations regarding improvements in substance abuse education, prevention, early intervention, treatment, service delivery, collecting/utilizing data, workforce development, crime reduction and resource alignment/integration.

Although we recognize that the task before us is daunting, we as an association (WVAADC) are stepping up to the plate to have our voices heard and to have a real and lasting impact on our States efforts to address the effects addiction is having on the families and citizens of West Virginia. Having served for the past nine (9) years as a member of your WVAADC Board, I am keenly aware of the tireless efforts our board has made to elevate the visibility/credibility of our association in the state as we represent you our members and advocate for those we serve (our clients). There are many steps necessary in having a noticeable/lasting impact on any issue of importance. Our Association’s appointment to the Governor’s Advisory Council is just one of those steps. I will do my best to represent the outstanding work that our association members do every day and make sure that your voice is heard as our state moves forward in its efforts to address addictions grip on our citizens. Respectfully submitted: Randy Housh, Past President WVAADC

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News for

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Contact Send news item and your name, address, phone number and e-mail address to:

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"WVAADC wishes you all Peace,

Health & Happiness for the season

and a Happy New Year"

2011 Fall Conference Photos can be seen throughout

this issue.