Closing the gap in substance use disorder treatment through paraprofessional counselor training

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is currently an insufficient supply of licensed substance use disorder counselors (SUDCs) to meet demand for services and the gap between supply and demand is projected to grow. Paraprofessional SUDCs offer one path to helping close this gap. The current study presents outcomes from a paraprofessional SUDC certificate program for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students. Student data (N = 66) were used to examine pre- to post-program changes in generalized SUDC knowledge and pre- to posttest changes in knowledge and self-efficacy from evidence-based workshops. Paired sample t-tests indicated that program participation significantly increased generalized SUDC knowledge. Participation in workshops significantly increased knowledge of motivational interviewing, integrative medicine, harm reduction, and grief and loss and self-efficacy for integrative medicine and harm reduction. BSW students gained generalized and treatment-specific knowledge via participation in a SUDC certificate program. The deployment of paraprofessionals SUDCs may provide one strategy to reduce treatment gaps.