Dana DuQuette

Drug and Alcohol Counseling

Dana DuQuette is pursuing his degree in drug and alcohol counseling through the Terry Campus in Dover. He's a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a 2021 scholarship recipient from atTAck addiction after being named a winner in that organization's essay contest.

DuQuette already held bachelor's and master's degrees, but in 2020 he began to reevaluate his career and future ambitions. As a recovering alcoholic, he had finally decided what he wanted to do when he "grew up," and it required additional specialized training.

"After 35 years of active addiction and countless bad choices and experiences, I finally achieved sobriety in 2013 and have remained sober for 10 years," he said. "After reevaluating my professional ambitions like many people did during the pandemic, I realized that my true calling was to help others achieve the gift of sobriety like I did."

As a Delaware transplant coming from Upstate New York, he was able to take advantage of the drug and alcohol counseling program offered by Delaware Tech after deciding to make a switch. Since embarking on his career change, he feels validated in his feelings that he made the right choice.

His favorite memories spent at the College are the experiences he had in his Directed Practice courses in the field. "The coursework was rewarding, but the on-hand experience was fulfilling in a different way," he said.

As for other non-traditional prospective students, DuQuette's advice is to never let their age hold them back from accomplishing what they want to do with their life. "We each have only one 'spin' on this globe. Follow your heart and embrace each opportunity that you can."

Following graduation, DuQuette plans to switch professionally into the recovery and rehabilitation field. "My dream career is one that is rewarding and fulfilling every day. I feel as if I am on the right path."