Substance Abuse Counselor

Description of Work Tasks, Settings and Tools

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS help people who have problems with alcohol and drugs. They counsel individuals who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, helping them identify behaviors and problems related to their addiction. Substance abuse counselors also help families who need help dealing with substance abuse problems. These counselors hold sessions for one person, for families, or for groups of people. They interview clients, review records, and meet with other professionals to evaluate the condition of clients. Counselors put together a program for treatment and rehabilitation of clients, using knowledge of drug and alcohol abuse problems and counseling treatment techniques.

Substance abuse counselors conduct individual and group-counseling sessions to help clients overcome alcohol and drug dependency. They counsel family members to help families in dealing with and providing support for clients. Counselors refer clients to other support services as needed, such as medical evaluation and treatment, social services, and employment services. Substance abuse counselors monitor the condition of clients to evaluate success of therapy, and adapt treatment as needed. They prepare and maintain accurate and thorough clinical records, reports, and case histories. Counselors may plan and lead programs to promote prevention of alcohol and drug abuse. Counselors may prepare documents for presentation in court and accompany clients to court as required. They may also address community groups about the dangers and symptoms of substance abuse and the activities and services of the substance abuse program.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS work for:

• community mental-health centers
• social agencies
• therapeutic communities where addicts live while undergoing treatment
  nonprofit organizations, such as Goodwill Industries
• correctional institutions
• organizations engaged in community improvements
• halfway houses for criminal offenders
• hospitals and other healthcare facilities
• state and local government agencies

Substance abuse counselors spend most of their time indoors in offices, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and clinics.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS work with:

• clients of all ages
• patient files and records
• reference books
• other mental-health specialists
• health maintenance organizations

Training, Related Majors and Advancement

Generally, SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS have a master's degree in substance abuse counseling. Graduate level counselor education programs in colleges and universities usually are in departments of education or psychology.

Most states have some form of counselor credentialing legislation, licensure, certification, or registry for practice. Requirements vary from state to state. In some states, credentialing is mandatory, and in others, it is voluntary. Prospective counselors should check with state and local governments, employers, and national voluntary certification organizations in order to determine which requirements apply.

Many counselors elect to be nationally certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) which grants the title National Certified Counselor. To be certified, a counselor must hold a master's degree in counseling from a regionally credited institution, have at least 2 years of supervised professional counseling experience, and pass a written examination.

The following majors could help you prepare for this occupation:

• Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counseling
• Counseling Psychology
• Physiological Psychology/Psychobiol
• Psychology, General
• Psychology, Other
• Social Work
• Student Counseling & Personnel Svc

Other Sources of Training:

• Military

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS may become senior counselors, supervisors, assistant program directors, or administrators in their agencies. A few may become program directors. Some counselors move into research, consulting, or college teaching, or go into private practice or group practice.

Desirable Personal Qualities

Helpful qualities for SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS include:

• a strong interest in helping others
• an ability to inspire respect, trust, and confidence
• an ability to work independently or as part of a team
• an ability to follow the code of ethics associated with their respective certifications and licenses
• good communication skills
• high physical and emotional energy to handle the array of problems they address
  

Estimated Salary

• Economic Research Institute (survey of salaries in 2004):
  

National average for all occupations included in this survey: $44,000/year or $21.25/hour

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (survey of salaries in 2003):

National average for all occupations included in this survey: $34,000/year or $16.25/hour

*Information taken from DISCOVER.

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