They should be sensitive to the cultural aspects of substance abuse as these will vary from one ethnic group to another and recovery groups will vary in the degree to which they welcome and accommodate diversity. The limits of the CCP with regard to substance abuse treatment should also be made clear to staff. Crisis counselors with companion program experience can help families find healthy ways of coping with the substance abuse as they pursue their own emotional recovery from the disaster. In the past, States have made requests to fund staffing for detoxification programs, substance abuse hot lines and support to relief workers in substance abuse treatment programs. It is not appropriate for staff to engage in specialized treatment activities.
Substance abuse is one of the most difficult disorders to assess and treat.
Denial, ethnic and cultural views, legal factors, and stigma all contribute to this difficulty. If assessment of an individual determines that a substance abuse problem may be present, then intervention, within the context of the CCP, begins with an exploration of what the disaster victim has done about the history and seriousness of the problem. Re-establishing contact is especially important if the person has a sponsor or a therapist. If the problem is new, the survivor should be strongly encouraged, in addition to continuing involvement with the Crisis Counseling Program, to seek assistance from substance abuse resources in the local community. The crisis counselor may refer the individual to the appropriate program or agency.