WHY ADDICTION PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS MUST BE THE MOST PATIENT AND EMOTIONALLY STABLE

WHY ADDICTION PREVENTION PROFESSIONALS MUST BE THE MOST PATIENT AND EMOTIONALLY STABLE.

Working in addiction prevention has been one of the most rewarding—and at times, most testing—journeys of my life. Over the years, engaging with young people battling Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) has taught me a powerful truth: technical knowledge is important, but the greatest tools an addiction prevention professional can carry are patience and emotional stability.

When I Lacked Patience and Stability....

Early in my career, I thought passion and structured programs were enough. I’d walk into sessions with young people convinced that one powerful talk, one compelling workshop, or one hard-hitting truth could change everything.

But reality was sobering. Addiction runs deep—it is not just a matter of willpower, but a web of psychological, social, biological, and even spiritual struggles. My impatience quickly became a limitation.

Impatience built walls instead of bridges. When I pushed too hard, some young people felt judged, misunderstood, or pressured. They withdrew.

Emotional instability eroded trust. If I carried frustration or stress into a session, the atmosphere shifted. Clients mirrored my emotions, and the safe space I intended to create disappeared.

I burned out. Without patience, every relapse felt like a personal failure. I carried disappointment home, questioning my calling in this field.

The Turning Point....

One experience stays with me. I worked with a young man who relapsed multiple times. The old me would have labeled him “unready” and walked away. Instead, I chose to stay steady, listen more than I spoke, and walk with him through the ups and downs.

Months later, he told me: “The only reason I didn’t quit on myself was because you didn’t quit on me.”

That moment cemented the lesson: patience and emotional stability are not optional—they are essential.

Why Patience and Stability Matter in Addiction Prevention

They honor the process. Recovery is rarely linear. Patience allows us to celebrate small wins and keep hope alive through setbacks.

They build trust. Clients, especially young people, sense our emotional state. Stability reassures them they are in safe hands.

They model resilience. When we stay grounded in chaos, we teach by example. Stability is contagious.

They protect us from burnout. With patience, we sustain ourselves for the long haul. This work is a marathon, not a sprint.

Closing Reflection.....

Addiction prevention professionals should be the calmest and most patient people in the room—not because we have it all figured out, but because the people we serve desperately need a steady presence. Knowledge may open the door, but it is patience and emotional stability that keep it open long enough for healing to walk through.

👉 For my fellow professionals: Never underestimate the power of simply being calm, patient, and consistent. Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t in what we say, but in how we stay.

BY. PETER CHEGE KARIUKI.
MR. TALENT.