Social Workers in the Substance Abuse Treatment Field: A Snapshot of Service Activities

Abstract

This article describes the results of the first Practice Research Network (PRN) survey conducted by the National Association of Social Workers, a collaborative project funded by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. The objectives of the PRN survey were to develop broad knowledge about social work practices and more specific knowledge about social workers' involvement with substance abuse services. Although 71 percent of the employed social workers reported taking some action related to substance abuse diagnosis and treatment in the preceding 12 months, 53 percent reported receiving no training in substance abuse during the same period. More than 25 percent of the clients seen by the sample were reported to have either a primary or a secondary substance use disorder, yet only 2 percent of the respondents reported addictions as their primary practice area. The results of the survey indicate a need to further assess social workers' role in substance abuse services and to identify training opportunities for the profession.