Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Paddling furiously with the current, the green canoes lurch forward with each stroke. The effort of the activity shows on the strained faces of the adult and teen paddlers. A few minutes later with the handful of canoes resting along a rocky shore, the racers slump over in their canoes, puffing, smiling and laughing.

In a matter of minutes the canoes are unloaded, gear packed inside awaiting vehicles and canoes secured in place for the return to Calgary. For all participants, however, the four-day canoe trip is but a small part of the therapy. In the city, the adult addictions counsellors and the 12 to 17 year old participants will delve into the experiential learning that took place on the trip.

"We take a holistic view," explained Tami Reid, one of the addictions counsellors with AADAC's Action program. Once an activity is complete, Reid and others will help the youth relate those experiences to their own lives and explore how they can use the lessons learned to deal with their addictions. These opportunities allow the youth to take leadership roles, practice their communication skills, and take risks in healthy ways, Reid said.

The counsellors don't spend all their time in the outdoors though. In the city they work one-on-one with youth, or in groups with several youths or a youth and his or her family. Reid's typical schedule runs Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mornings begin with a team meeting to review the day and discuss any scheduling changes. Then it's onto working with the youth individually, in groups, or with their family members. She makes notes on each youth and updates them regularly. The treatment facility where Reid works also includes a school, gym and cafeteria for the youth in the program.

The three month Action program has counsellors help youth address the effects of addictions and show how learned skills can be used to overcome the problems with alcohol, drugs or gambling. "It's definitely rewarding to see even small changes," Reid said. "When they're here for only 13 weeks there won't be huge changes. Seeing them trying to practice those skills is a rewarding experience." For the University of Alberta graduate, helping young people deal with addictions and mental health disorders has been her focus since graduating with a degree in recreation therapy.

Starting work in a hospital-based adolescent mental health program, Reid then moved to the schools working as a consultant for the Alberta Mental Health Board before assuming her current position with the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). "The look at addictions was a common theme in my previous work," she said. "That was an area of interest I wanted to explore."

Like many of her co-workers, Reid works in the social work industry, but has not graduated from a "social work" program. Her colleagues include those who have backgrounds in psychology, sociology, child and youth care, and education.

Working with a multi-talented team ranks as one highlight of the work for Reid. But it's the youth who deliver the best part of the job. "The energy that the youth have, the creativity and resourcefulness youth have, and being able to be involved in the dynamics of a family is amazing," she said.

That's not to say there aren't drawbacks. "It can be frustrating, especially when you see young people with significant potential and they don't see it in themselves. And it can be emotionally draining. It's a profession where you're dealing with feelings everyday. Recovery and working toward abstinence is a process and you can't change the speed at which it occurs."

Taking time to pursue activities away from work helps Reid cope with any work-related stressors. "It's important to make sure you take care of yourself first," she explained. "The youth will challenge you. You need to have clear boundaries because some people get into the trap of wanting to 'save' everybody. You have to be aware you can't 'save' everybody. There are going to be frustrating times and things you can't control."

Having solid assessment skills allows counsellors to determine which stage of change each youth has reached and can sometimes cut down on frustrations. Flexibility, resourcefulness, compassion, the ability to be assertive, a genuine interest in youth, a sense of humor, and team work skills are also required for this position, Reid said. On-going training is encouraged for counsellors wishing to expand their knowledge or increase their skills, she added.

Reid passes the same advice to anyone considering a career in addictions counselling. "Fill your bag full of as many skills and resources as you can because you need to look at every family and individual in a holistic way -- all parts of their life, not just addictions."