For substance abuse counselors only?

This question is for substance abuse counselors.

I am very curious to learn some of the reasons why you choose to work with those who are substance abusers rather than becoming involved is some other type of counseling service?

Please be as open and thoughful in your responce as you can. This question is for substance abuse counselors currently working, retired or those thinking about working with substance abusers. I look forward to reading all of your replies!

as part of the field instruction at college, I ended up working within the substance abuse field - it was the result of a myriad of circumstances - not by my choice. I never used drugs, didn't hang with anyone who did - knew nothing about the life however, after working with this population, realized they were in their situation because of dysfunctional childhoods - no different than those with mental health issues who never used drugs. I absolutely adored working with (most of) these women who were considered 'throw-aways' by society - I got to witness their growth as they began to believe in themselves and understanding why they chose to do what they did.

i am hoping to become a social worker and help people with mental illness and abuse problems. it's mostly because i grew up with a mentally unstable, alcoholic father so i've seen the behavior. i've done counseling and ala-teen and other support groups to gain a knowledge into the behavior. i think that because i am familiar and educated already in some of the behavior patterns that i would be useful to the addicts and a good counselor for them.

I am a psych student and this is on my short list of working choices. Heres why...people like this can be cured! Too often we see addicts in prisons where, in the country at least, rehabilitation is a joke.They are released with very high recidivism rates and then their lives are one endless journey thought institutions. Also, I come from a famliy of drug and alcohol abusers so I just feel that I have a bit of an inside track on the patterns and feelings associated with this field.

my best friend is a counsellor, i'm a drunk, his wife is an alcoholic, and his son is in jail for trafficcing. my guess is addiction touched his life in many ways and he wants to be part of the solution.