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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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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! |
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| Sincerely, |
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| Michael J. Mooney, MA LLP, CAC II, NCGC
CCJP |
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