They wear an addiction professional “hat” at work, and in different settings or situations also wear the “hat” of a person in recovery. Yet it is impossible to completely silo these aspects of who two-hatters are and what they do. In professional situations, when a recovery perspective is noticeably absent from project planning or programming, it is a challenge for two-hatters to avoid the role of recovery spokespersons. Nearly every helping professional grapples with compassion fatigue, transference, and countertransference, but the impact may differ qualitatively among two-hatters. In some cases, two-hatters in long-term recovery have difficulty locating the type of personal recovery support they require, especially if current or former clients populate local meetings and support groups. This panel, composed of accomplished, experienced professionals who also identify as individuals in long-term recovery, shares the benefits and challenges they have experienced working in the field. The presentation is intended to highlight the contributions of colleagues and other staff members with lived experience as well as those who do not identify as persons in recovery.

Presenters:

Bradley Bullock, M.F.A., CADC, CODP, Director of Adult Criminal Justice and Treatment Services, Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC)

Honesty Liller, Chief Executive Officer, McShin Foundation

Niki Miller, M.S., CPS, Senior Research Associate, Advocates for Human Potential

Stephen Valle, Sc.D., M.B.A., President and Chief Executive Officer, AdCare Criminal Justice