Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Assigning the work to an AI does not mean it will actually be done effectively. Substance use is complex and multifaceted and above all, really human. In ‘therapy’, AI tend to simply reinforce and agree with what someone has said, but sometimes this is not helpful. If AI were to be put in this position, perhaps it could do an outwardly passable job at first, but in general rates of recovery would plummet. Furthermore, due to the sensitive nature of addiction, many people entering recovery often need human interaction to assist in community reintegration and rebuilding healthy relationships, as well as uniquely human, experienced based perspectives and true (not imitated) compassion. Lastly, many may be uncomfortable working with AI and would simply refuse services due to the sensitivity and vulnerability of substance use services, and the potential violations of patient confidentiality involved in AI data use.

You need deep meaningful connections to make a real impact and cause a real change in the attitudes and behaviors that brought them to seek treatment in the first place, I would know I have been to 8 treatment centers. There is a complete difference from a therapist that has walked down this path and one that has read it out of a book. You can't learn what it was like to live through active addiction you have either been through it or haven't and know the way out through your own experiences or you know what the book told you to say. You can't learn personal skills like that.

There are complex interpersonal and emotive skills required to be an effective counselor.