From Mess to Message
| I was born in Detroit in 1952. I grew up with my siblings in a dysfunctional family setting, which included poverty and parental alcoholism. I was raised primarily by my mother in an inner city "housing project" and my family received financial assistance through government welfare agencies. I developed behavioral problems as a child and at age twelve I was arrested for juvenile delinquency. I dropped out of school in the 6th grade and left home. Before age thirteen, I developed an addictive personality that would haunt me for the next twenty-five years. I spent a number of years incarcerated in state-run training schools before the age of 16. My appetite for drugs was rivaled by my criminal lifestyle in general. |
| As an adult, my substance abusing lifestyle spiraled out of control and culminated with several trips to the state penitentiary. In 1990, at age 38, I was paroled to a "halfway house" in the community and introduced to basic recovery concepts through drug counseling. I also participated in the 12-step meetings of AA/NA and as a result, I began staying clean. My "clean date" from all psychoactive substances, to include alcohol and tobacco, is January 15, 1991. After completing that drug treatment program in 1991, I made a decision to dedicate my life to the recovery process for both drug addiction and the ensuing criminality that is necessary to support the addict lifestyle. |
| Stemming from a sense of gratitude related to my newfound recovery, I wanted to "give back" what was given to me, which led me to helping other parolees with drug problems. This was done primarily through volunteer 12-step work in the halfway house. This early volunteer work led me to making a commitment to pursue a career in the field of substance abuse counseling. I acquired my GED in 1991 and then passed several introductory tests in the field of substance abuse counseling. |
| On January 4, 1993 I obtained employment at a substance abuse counseling agency as an "apprentice drug counselor." Under intense supervision, my duties included delivering individual and group counseling services to the agency's client population. It was at that time that I enrolled in a program that was designed to assist me with obtaining the Certified Addictions Counseling (CAC II) credential. This process was overseen by the Center for Substance Abuse Services, and Western Michigan University. Briefly, the CAC program involved me accumulating 6,000 hours of counseling experience, continuing supervision, passing three written exams, and completing 20 clock hours of substance abuse related education. |
| With obtaining my credential as a CAC-II, I became reinvigorated to develop my skills and talents as a clinician in the field of addictions counseling. I became aware of other certifications and credentials available that would further my efforts in expanding my knowledge in this profession. Perhaps it was my feelings of being "swept up" in my own recovery that led me to believe that this profession was my true calling. |
| Since my apprentice counselor days of 1993, I have diligently worked with the Criminal Justice System to provide substance abuse services to offenders at the Federal, State, County, and local (District Court) levels of government. To some, I am considered to be "talented" at delivering services to the offender population and I have made this my life's work. |
| Throughout the 1990's, I achieved various certifications and degrees to further my pursuits. These include my becoming a "Certified Clinical Supervisor" through the Michigan Board of Addiction Professionals. I also completed my work on "problem gamblers" and became a "Nationally Certified Gambling Counselor." Along the way, I received as Associates of Arts degree from Macomb Community College, a Bachelors of Arts degree from Siena Heights University, and finally, a Masters of Arts degree in clinical psychology from the Center for Humanistic Studies. My thesis for my Masters degree was entirely focused on addiction, criminality, and the recovery process. |
| In September 2002 I opened up "Choices Counseling Center," at two locations in Macomb County, with a staff of ten. My focus remains substance abuse and mental health counseling with the offender population. I now have a realistic goal to obtain a PhD in clinical psychology… "Dr. Mooney" has a nice ring to it! |
| Sincerely, |
| Michael J. Mooney, MA LLP, CAC II, NCGC CCJP |
| Printer Friendly Version |