Not Just for a Pay Check - An Addiction Professional Reflects on his Chosen Path

As a counselor in the field of substance dependency, I find the concept of "emotional distance" to have a profound impact on my approach to dealing with the suffering of addicts, alcoholics, and their respective families. 

It took me a long time before I began to adjust to the extreme seriousness of this business.  The crying mothers, the broken souls, the desperation of the bewilderment of relapse after a relapse eventually brought me to a point of numbness.  Some might say that I no longer belonged in this business, but if they do they are probably not working with the same type of suffering individuals that I do (or haven’t done it long enough). Eventually I was able to draw strength on the importance of my mission and not be overwhelmed by the sickness and emotions that bombarded me  at all times.

Real Empathy

We are susceptible to being affected by different forms of suffering.  In fact, if the degree of suffering is extreme this may inhibit the clinician’s abilities to be empathetic or help. Back when I entered my third year in the field of chemical dependency the defensive numbness I relied upon to survive in the beginning had served its purpose and was no longer present.  My actions were no longer robotic and my mind slowly began to become intuitive to what the clients were really going through.  I think that this is the hardest journey for an individual in recovery to make.  We are naturally disabled with the inability to remember how terrible it felt to detox, crave, or be filled with resentment all day long.

- Steven East AA, AS, CADC II, CAS, ICADC
Steven is a Case Manager at The Landing of Newport Beach - The Premier Addiction Treatment Facility for Men