TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving the Recruitment and Retention of Counselors in Rural Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs
AU - Murphy, Jennifer
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This project was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative agency of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2022.
PY - 2022/7
Y1 - 2022/7
N2 - While access to drug treatment has increased in recent years, there is still a shortage of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment counselors in the United States, especially in rural areas. This study examined recruitment and retention issues for counselors in rural substance use disorder treatment programs. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 program, clinical, and/or human resource directors of SUD treatment programs. Almost all interviewees had problems recruiting high-quality counselors although only a small number saw retention as a significant issue. Improving educational opportunities and training related to addictions counseling could result in more people entering the SUD treatment field. Strategies for improving retention of counselors include more supportive and inclusive management practices. The stigma of SUD also contributed to recruitment and retention problems.
AB - While access to drug treatment has increased in recent years, there is still a shortage of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment counselors in the United States, especially in rural areas. This study examined recruitment and retention issues for counselors in rural substance use disorder treatment programs. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 program, clinical, and/or human resource directors of SUD treatment programs. Almost all interviewees had problems recruiting high-quality counselors although only a small number saw retention as a significant issue. Improving educational opportunities and training related to addictions counseling could result in more people entering the SUD treatment field. Strategies for improving retention of counselors include more supportive and inclusive management practices. The stigma of SUD also contributed to recruitment and retention problems.
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U2 - 10.1177/00220426221080204
DO - 10.1177/00220426221080204
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85125894836
SN - 0022-0426
VL - 52
SP - 434
EP - 456
JO - Journal of Drug Issues
JF - Journal of Drug Issues
IS - 3
ER -