Overview

Holding the Line is a practical, ground-level guide to working as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) in addiction treatment. This is not a book about fixing people. It's a book about doing the job well-ethically, consistently, and sustainably-shift by shift. Behavioral Health Technicians are often the backbone of treatment programs, yet they receive little training that reflects the reality of the work. This book fills that gap. Written for both new and experienced BHTs, Holding the Line offers clear guidance on what actually matters on the floor: safety, structure, communication, boundaries, teamwork, and professional endurance. Through detailed, realistic scenarios and step-by-step instruction, the book walks readers through the core responsibilities of the role across levels of care, including detox, residential, PHP/IOP, and sober living. Each chapter follows a consistent structure, opening with a real-world scene, explaining the core concept, breaking down how to apply it in practice, identifying common mistakes and red flags, and ending with daily skill-building practices BHTs can use immediately. Topics include: Working the milieu and managing unit dynamics Holding structure without power struggles Safety awareness and early intervention Communicating calmly and effectively on the floor Setting boundaries without becoming cold or rigid Working professionally with clinical and nursing teams Transporting clients, UA collection, medication support, and sober living supervision Burnout, ethical drift, and staying effective long-term The book avoids spiritual framing, clinical jargon, and motivational fluff. Instead, it focuses on professionalism, consistency, and clarity. It emphasizes that this work is not about controlling clients or rescuing them, but about creating stable conditions where treatment can function. An extensive appendix provides checklists, scripts, and report templates designed for real shifts-not theory. These tools help reduce decision fatigue, improve consistency, and support ethical practice under pressure. Holding the Line is not tied to any single facility, agency, or program model. Readers are encouraged to follow their organization's policies and procedures while using this book as a professional guide. Whether you are brand new to the role or years into the work, this book meets you where you are-and helps you do the job with steadiness, confidence, and integrity.

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