title: Ex-addict versus nonaddict counselors' knowledge of clients' drug use.
abstract: The accuracy of drug counselors' knowledge of their clients' drug use was assessed to determine whether counselor reports might constitute adequate research and evaluation data. Ex-addict paraprofessionals, non-ex-addict paraprofessionals, and degreed professional counselors (N = 82) reported on the drug use by 302 methadone maintenance and drug-free outpatient clients, as did the clients themselves. Counselor nonresponse rates to individual drug category items were acceptably low (less than or equal to 5%) for all but marijuana/hashish and over-the-counter drugs. Counselors' estimates of drug use rates at a group level were relatively accurate. However, reliability coefficients reflecting accuracy on a case-by-case basis were lower than desirable for use in prediction schemes for individual clients. Ex-addicts were overall somewhat more accurate than the other counselor groups.
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000592:standards; D003376:Counseling / Q000592:standards*; D008192:Deception; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards; D012650:Self Disclosure; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000078329:Workforce