Substance Abuse Counselor Careers Information
Drugs and those who abuse them seem omnipresent. But thankfully, substance abuse counselors exist to help those who wish to break free from the cycle of addition once and for all. Substance abuse counselors work with abusers to help them identify their reasons for taking drugs and to aid them in changing poor behaviors. They help them learn to make better decisions and avoid the situations that may trigger a relapse.
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers & Degrees
- Grand Canyon University: Online
- B.S. in Addiction Counseling
- B.S. in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse
- M.S. in Addiction Counseling
- M.S. in Professional Counseling
Post University: Online- Master Degree: M.S. in Human Services - Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Master Degree: M.S. in Human Services - Clinical Counseling
- Masters: Human Services / Alcohol and Drug Counseling
- Masters: Human Services / Clinical Counseling
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Washington D.C.
Though many drugs create a chemical dependency in the body of an abuser that must be broken through time or even medication, the behavioral work of a substance abuse counselor is equally important to an addict’s recovery. Without it, many would never learn to control their urges and would quickly relapse.
Because so much of a substance abuse counselor’s work centers on behavior modification, they may sometimes be called behavioral therapists. In this role, they will help not only those individuals who abuse drugs, but also those who suffer from other harmful behaviors, like eating disorders or inflicting self harm. Such work with behaviors also means that substance abuse counselors will often involve the family and friends of their patient. With their help, the counselor can lead a united front to make sure behavioral changes are long-lasting.
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers Path
All counselors need a Master’s degree in counseling with coursework in counseling techniques, human growth and development, and professional ethics. Those who wish to become substance abuse counselors need to take specialty courses in the field. Though it varies by state, most counselors also need to become certified. This may mean completing a required number of graduate hours of coursework, working for a period under the supervision of a more senior counselor, and/or passing a licensing exam. Those substance abuse counselors who wish to teach or move up into administrative positions can earn doctoral degrees to increase their chances of earning such jobs.
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers: Compatible Personality Traits
Highly empathetic, strong desire to help others, excellent communicator, patient, non-judgmental, caring, works well in high stress situations.
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers: Salary Expectations
The average salary for a substance abuse counselor is $37,030 a year, with the middle fifty percent earning between $29,410 and $47,290 a year. Salary is also dependent upon where a substance abuse counselor is employed:
- General medical and surgical hospitals – $44,130
- Local government – $41,660
- Outpatient care centers – $36,650
- Individual and family services – $35,210
- Residential mental retardation, mental health and substance facilities – $31,300
As with any other type of counselor, those experienced substance abuse counselors who are self-employed with a large client base or who work with a group of independent counselors usually make the most money.
Substance Abuse Counselor Careers: Job Outlook
Because of our nation’s seemingly insatiable appetite for all types of drugs, job prospects for substance abuse counselors in the coming years will be very good. Though in the past such problems were kept quite and largely untreated, our society in recent years has become more accepting of people who admit to a substance abuse problem and seek help. Furthermore, with prisons overcrowded due to an overabundance of non-violent drug offenders, judges are beginning to send such violators to rehabilitation centers rather than prison. Both of these trends mean that substance abuse counselors should have little trouble finding work. This is especially true for those who are willing to work in rural areas.
Slightly off the Footpath
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Human Resources
- Teacher
- Social Worker
- Probation Officer
Source: bls.gov/OCO/ocos067.htm
