Advice wanted please

[startingover]

I have just received an application form to begin volunteering for an addiction agency.
On the application is the following question
"Please tell us about any health or personal information which is relevant to this application"
This sentence strikes a chord of fear into me. What should I say? I know my experiences would be useful in helping fellow addicts. But admitting them is very very scary.
Any thoughts or advice you have would be gratefully received.
Thanks everyone

[tlrgs]

Advice wanted please

just be as honest as possable

[greeneyes]

Advice wanted please

Well starty, thank goodness it was on an application and not in an interview. I probably would have fainted. If it were me..... I would say I had personal experience with substance abuse and addiction which were overcome before they became health issues. Or something like that. And see where it goes. Remember what I said about the addiction therapist who was a former addict. It only added to her credibility. You can do this starty! You are a courageous kind soul. :h :l

[Evie.Lou]

Advice wanted please

Tell them the Basics ......but don't go into details...Remember that what you put in writing, you can't take back. Be careful my friend. I am sure that they want to know where you're coming from and being "in recovery" is the BEST way that I can think of to say it.
You can put me down as a character reference any day...I might be alittle more credible to them because I am an ordained Minister. I have helped others with this {so called title} and would stand up for you with no hesitation. Just let me know if I can help you in anyway.

[startingover]

Advice wanted please

Thanks guys.
I do want to be honest, but like you say Wally, once its out, its out...
This is something that is very close to my heart and I feel commited to doing. I want to train and obtain a professional qualification within this field too. I honestly believe I could make a difference.
I am frightened of being looked down upon for having had addiction issues and then discounted from a job or placement. But I really do believe my experience will add to my suitability.
I guess it just depends what the professionals think...
That is a good line to use I think Greenie....subtle and maybe they will have me in for an interview before they make a judgement call...

[startingover]

Advice wanted please

Evie.Lou;591214 wrote: Tell them the Basics ......but don't go into details...Remember that what you put in writing, you can't take back. Be careful my friend. I am sure that they want to know where you're coming from and being "in recovery" is the BEST way that I can think of to say it.
You can put me down as a character reference any day...I might be alittle more credible to them because I am an ordained Minister. I have helped others with this {so called title} and would stand up for you with no hesitation. Just let me know if I can help you in anyway.

Evie, that is so true about something being written down....I just dont want to lie and yet I dont want to go into details either I dont think.
Thank you so very much for offering the character ref, that really does mean alot and is very comforting to know...

[greeneyes]

Advice wanted please

OK, consider this.... What if it's just ringing all our bells and all it means is

Are there things we need to consider in scheduling or matching clients to you? Personal like you aren't avail at certain times because of family obligations, that sort of thing.

The health aspect bothers me because it is flat out illegal on an employment application. But perhaps not for volunteer work?

You could write down information available in personal interview. That could reflect your sensitivity to privacy. We have health privacy laws here, do you?

[Sheepish]

Advice wanted please

StartingOver
I would concur with Greeneyes and would choose to interpret the question in a more benign way. As in ' 'Do you have any disability, ongoing illness or any other issue that would limit your time or scheduling requirements that you would need to aprise them of prior to applying'- is another way one could interpret this question. Are you familiar with this organization and it's staff? I think if you choose to reveal your past addiction history (which is nothing to be ashamed of- it is just personal) it should be in person, verbally after you have had a chance to assess the situation and decide if you feel comfortable revealing that. I also think that your history will be considered a positive when it comes to this type of work. Many many people who work with addicts are former addicts themselves- it is so much easier to identify for someone new and just starting recovery. It is wonderful that you are considering doing this and I hope you will be careful and prudent about releasing your personal information.
My .02
-Sheep

[Marshy]

Advice wanted please

When I had counselling last year the woman who ran the place had her own (previous) addiction issues, so it obviously hadn't been a barrier to her - it was a specialist drug/alcohol counselling service.

On the other hand, a friend of mine is starting a general counselling course and she said one of the requirements was that she didn't have any "unresolved" addictions. This wasn't an issue for her, but they mentioned in the interview that they had previously turned away people who hadn't been clean and sober for AT LEAST a year.

Maybe you could have a chat with someone there informally to see what "rules" they have about addictions before you fill in the form? I'd imagine they are used to people with personal experience of addiction applying - because they have an automatic interest in that field.

Good luck!

[startingover]

Advice wanted please

I think its asking about relevant addiction information because there is a separate question for general health as well..i.e. how much time have you been absent due to ill health in the last 12 months...for that I am happy to say 6 days...
I think I need to be honest in as much as I have personal experience, but I need to be careful how I word it too....
Maybe I should have an informal chat with them first?

[Sheepish]

Advice wanted please

Hmm- i think you should have a chat with them starting. Here in the US- There is a different standard for employment than there is for volunteer work (Ie- applications for volunteer work are usually not as thorough as applications for employment nor is the information on them protected by law). What is their privacy policy? While you are certainly applying for something that requires scrutiny and possibly this type of information- it is certainly reasonable (and responsible!) for you to inquire so you can better understand how they use and protect this information prior to you writing it down and submitting it for posterity.
Best wishes to you
-S

[lushy]

Advice wanted please

I think you can touch on the fact that you have first hand experience with addiction, but just not go into details. Personally, if I were to go for addiction counseling I would want to be being helped by a recovered addict than someone who does not understand the problem. I think it is wonderful you want to do this and I wish you the best.

[startingover]

Advice wanted please

Wow, you are all being so helpful thank you!
Sheep, I think your idea of replying in a benign way is a great one.
I am not familiar with this org at all. But I think you are right about revealing it in person rather in writing.

Marshy, that is good idea too. I dont have any unresolved addictions, not even nicotine any more! Oh yes, possibly coffee though..:-) but I think a chat with them might be a good thing.

[startingover]

Advice wanted please

Sheep, There is a data protection statement on the application form which I think will protect my privacy. But again, asking them to clarify is a good move.

Lushy, yes, I am in agreement there, be honest, but not the gory details.

Thank you all for your votes of confidence too. It does mean a lot.

[cymru]

Advice wanted please

When I did my application form, I wrote that I had first hand family experience with addiction, but didnt say it was me. When I went for the face to face interview, I talked about it a bit, but the talk was very relaxed.