Substance Use Specialist

Also referred to as the Concurrent Disorders Clinician, Harm Reduction Specialist, or Substance Use Counsellor, this role supports ACT participants with substance use challenges. The specialist often has a counselling or social service background and a passion for addressing substance use issues.

The role of the Substance Use Specialist includes, but is not limited to, these duties:

• Provides one-on-one and/or group substance use counselling services to ACT participants.
• Offers guidance and expertise in care models such as Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, SMART Recovery, and the Transtheoretical Model (stages of change).
• Stays informed about legislative changes, policies, and practices, especially those related to toxic drug supply, and communicates updates to the team and community.
• Contributes to assessments and care planning from a harm reduction lens.
• Educates and collaborates with community services, promoting partnerships with safe consumption sites.