Goals of an Indigenous Addictions Specialist

In the establishment of a system for the Certification of Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialists, the FNWACCB recognizes the need to define the role of the addictions counsellor in a manner that is distinct from others who may provide additional services to the same client population.

The primary responsibility of the Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialists is to deal with the relationship between a person’s use of alcohol/drugs, and the problems experienced as a consequence of such use. Therefore, the Indigenous Certified Addictions Specialists goals are centered around the following:

1. Assist the client to recognize that his/her use of alcohol/drugs is a primary and chronic illness rooted in bio-psycho-social impairment;
2. Assist the client and the family in gaining insight and motivation to make a commitment to resolve problems by taking appropriate action relative to the use of alcohol/drugs;
3. To provide experienced, culturally appropriate, professional guidance, assistance, and support for the client’s efforts to establish a new lifestyle and value system which is designed to achieve the fullest possible recovery from addiction which requires:

1. Total abstinence from all mood altering drugs;
2. Replacement of self-defeating behavior and attitudes with healthy ones;
3. Treatment of physical deterioration;
4. The learning of healthy personal social skills;
5. Re-entry into society with a sense of self respect and personal well-being;
6. The spouse, children and individuals close to the addicted person whom have been affected by the addiction need also be provided with care and treatment;
7. Resolution of cultural, traditional, and spiritual conflicts.
8. The principles of harm reduction where appropriate.

4. To recognize problem areas which are beyond the scope of his/her training, skill or competence, and assist the addicted individual or his/her family in accessing and utilizing professional assistance appropriate to their identified needs.
5. Such activities will, of necessity, cover a broad range of activities equal to the infinite variety of the addicted person’s problems such as physiology, age, sex, religion, spirituality, education, culture, economics, and social status.