Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

T his engaging and challenging presentation allows participants to examine the implications both positive and negative of cultural considerations in the recovery and treatment of addiction with fomerly incarcerated clients. The impact of Cognitive Behavioral Threrapy on achieving positive treatment will be examined outcomes and discuss practical applications on CBT in the clinical setting. How the Recovery movement itself is a culture, complete with rituals, language, bias and prejudices will also be examined. The specific challenges of members of various cultures experience as they participate in treatment and self help support groups will be explored. Also symptoms experienced by formerly incarcerated clients, particularly Post Incarceration Syndome and Institutionalized Personality Syndrome will be examined. Participants will have an opportunity to identify their own prejudices and bias, and determine how they affect treatment outcomes in the form of counter-transference. Participants will learn specific cross-cultural counseling techniques that will increase their effectiveness and client retention rates. By exploring methods of assisting clients and treatment providers to realign themselves and their practicies in turn, it will be discussed how to move past the victimization of oppression and into the Healing of Recovery. Objectives : 1. Participants will have increased understanding regarding cultural issues and their impact on treatment outcomes. 2. Participants will learn specific cross-cultural counseling techniques that can be applied immediately in their workplace. 3. Participants will have an improved understanding Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and learn practical methods of utilizing these techniques in their clinical practice. 4. Participants will develop strategies for introducing and facilitating cultural themed support groups with formerly incarcerated substance abusing clients. 5. Participants will learn techniques to help themselves and their clients overcome barriers to treatment and recovery and realign themselves and their practices in a direction that achieves more positive treatment outcomes

Biography

Roland Williams is an interventionist, author, trainer, counselor and consultant specializing in addiction-related issues. Roland is currently the Director of Clinical Operations for DARA Thailand, and the Clinical Director for Lionrock Recovery. He is also the President and Founder of Free Life Enterprises counseling and consulting firm. He is the co-founder and former Executive Director of Alta Mira Recovery Programs, in Sausalito, California, as well as co-founder and former Clinical Director of Bayside Marin, in San Rafael, where he designed the initial clinical model for each facility. He worked at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, CA. for 15 years, he was the Director of Behavioral Health Services, where he was responsible for the psychiatric and chemical dependency programs. He was one of the first Licensed Advanced Addiction Counselors in the State of California, a member of Department of Alcohol and Drug programs advisory board, he sat on the oral examination board of CAADAC, (California Association of Alcohol and Drug Counselors), and is a member of the NAADAC Trainers Academy, providing technical assistance and training nationwide. He has provided counseling and consulting services to individuals and treatment facilities worldwide, including Switzerland, Holland, France, Dominican Republic, Italy, Thailand and the United Kingdom. Roland works with the Offender Mentorship Certification Program teaching CAADAC classes to incarcerated inmates. He has published 3 books related to Relapse Prevention from a cultural perspective and written numerous articles on addiction and recovery