Phil Scherer, C.A.D.C., works as an assistant clinical coordinator at the Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Hospital. He has served in the addictions field since 1991 and is an addictions counselor certified through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA). Phil became a counselor because he wanted to provide accurate information about addiction to the public. "Misinformation is a real problem," he says. "It perpetuates illness instead of providing solutions."
As a trained interventionist, Phil has received training to treat clients with food and sex addictions. He also has completed a 21-hour certification training course in the identification and treatment of pathological gambling.
Phil works extensively with patients struggling with addiction problems, including many adolescent pathological gamblers. At one time he worked with children, but now he deals mostly with adults. "I find working with adults not all that different from working with children, but adults have more history. With adults, the consequences of their illness have taken a toll. Sometimes it's hard to work through."
He has experience in all phases of the treatment process ranging from inpatient care to aftercare and family programs. He also is active in community education programs and has trained others on the identification and treatment of chemical dependency and pathological gambling at area mental health association teen conferences. The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria recognizes Phil as an active teacher in family medicine for his work with physicians involved in their family practice residency program.
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