Science degree in Addiction Counseling and he feels the things he learned in the course of his addiction and recovery have helped make him a more effective counselor, better able to “recognize and empathize.” Wiley believes “there are two types of people who come to treatment: some of them have hit rock bottom and know they need help and others that are mandated by the courts to enter treatment; many of them don't believe they have a problem, especially the marijuana smokers.” In those cases, education is one of the key strategies to break through a client's denial and their lack of knowledge. During the psycho-educational group sessions, the client is educated on the process of addiction and the continuum of drug and alcohol use. They are also given several self- assessment assignments. Each is guided to take a written inventory of the consequences of their drug and alcohol use and where their use has taken them. The process helps open their eyes to a realistic view of their situation; “help them identify their reasons for using drugs in the first place, and identify their place in the continuum of drug/alcohol use,” Wiley says. “They weigh the negative versus positive consequences of their use and that leads them into the motivation they need to change.” In the process, “we see a lot of ‘a ha’ moments,” Wiley notes. GETTING HEALTHY IN GROUPS Participation in group therapy sessions is one of the vital parts of treatment. “People come into treatment with guilt, shame, fear, and dishonesty; those are the concepts that keep us 'stuck.' So we
work on those. Hearing other people's experiences in group gives them the chance to see that they are not alone, and helps to rid themselves of this guilt and shame they have been holding internally.” Relapse and how to prevent it is another topic that takes up a large portion of the psycho-educational sessions. “We help every client identify their triggers, warning signs, and high- risk situations for using, both internal and external, and help them develop coping strategies for each. We also help and guide them to talk about emotions.” What does Wiley appreciate most about the approach to treatment at Gateway? “I like the fact that (Gateway founder) Abraham Nabil, allows us as counselors to do what we need to do to help each client. Some of us have been in the field longer than others; but all of us have been on both sides of the desk, so we know what is necessary for recovery.
”Some know they need help, and others are mandated by the courts to enter treatment.” - Charles Wiley, counselor, Gateway to Sobriety
STARTING A NEW CAREER
After his cocaine use led to jail and a prison term, decided to become an addiction counselor, earning LCDC certification at Houston Community College in 1996. Wiley found work as a counselor intern in an inpatient treatment facility for addicts living with HIV, a transitional living facility for mental health and substance abuse, and a transitional living facility for homeless women; each of those facilities eventually closed. Over the next few years he worked in retail and warehousing, but had a relapse that led to five more years of active addiction. In early 2008, he was arrested a third time for cocaine possession and sentenced to county jail. After 30 days and a nine-page, hand-written letter to the judge, he was released and placed on deferred adjudication probation. That was a turning point for Wiley. “Something snapped.” Wiley realized he had hit the proverbial bottom. He completed his probation successfully, 14 months early and was finally able to maintain lasting sobriety, helped by the support he found by participating in a Cocaine Anonymous 12-step group. Wiley's battle with addiction isn't something he would like to experience again. In 2018, he received his Master of
“In order to keep this gift we have received, we must give it away.”
”All of us have been on both
sides of the desk, so we know what is necessary for recovery.” --Charles Wiley
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