The Professional and the Human Services Worker: Some Solutions to the Problems They Face in Working Together

Abstract

During the past ten or so years, a new group of people-helpers has emerged. These are the human services workers, and they have made a considerable impact on the drug and alcohol abuse scenes, on clinics, universities, hospitals and schools. They are the paraprofessionals and they come into existence as a result of an increasing lack of available professional helpers. In spite of the great need, most professionals showed a minimum interest in and concern for the addict, the alcoholic, the mental patient, the compulsive gambler, the compulsive obese person, the run-away, and other individuals in need of help. The coming into existence of lay helpers has answered this need, but it has also provided the two groups many mutual challenges. These challenges are of paramount importance and must be met on both sides.