The Perceived Impact of Recovery Experience from Alcohol or Other Drug Addiction on Learning during Masters-Level Training

Abstract

The learning experiences of four counseling trainees who did and did not experience recovery from alcohol or drug addiction within one masters' training cohort were explored through phenomenological interviews. Themes that emerged for the recovering trainees included a desire to share the gift of recovery, synthesis of personal experience with skills learned in training, building on a foundation of self-care, and a desire for their personal expertise on addiction and recovery to be honored. Themes that emerged for the nonrecovering trainees included feelings of inadequacy, growth in self-efficacy, developing self-care, and honoring the expertise of recovering peers. Implications for counselor education and supervision are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Counselor education
• substance use
• supervision