Addiction Counselor

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Overview

A career in addiction counseling is often appealing to those who want to make helping others their life’s work. As an addiction counselor, you will have the opportunity to be a strong, positive influence on the lives of your clients. You may help others turn their lives around, and in doing this you may make a positive contribution to the surrounding community.

While there are many steps for how to become an addiction counselor, you may find a career in counseling to be a meaningful reward for all your hard work.

$442 billion

The estimated annual ‘economic burden’ of alcohol and illicit drug misuse in the U.S. (See disclaimer 1 )

An addiction counselor works with people from varied backgrounds who struggle with substance use disorders, including addictions to different kinds of drugs and alcohol. Addiction counselors are responsible for helping individuals get treatment. They must be well-versed in teaching coping mechanisms and creating personalized treatment plans based on each individual’s specific addiction, needs and goals.

Depending on company or state requirements, addiction counselors may also be called substance use counselors, alcohol and drug counselors or chemical dependency professionals. (See disclaimer 2 ) Despite the different titles, they will most likely have a similar job description.

What does an addiction counselor do on a typical day? These counseling professionals may be found doing any combination of the following tasks:

Conducting evaluations

They review the mental health, medical history and behavioral issues of new clients.

Creating treatment plans

They develop treatment goals and plans and discuss them with clients.

Offering solutions

These counselors help clients identify obstacles to their recovery and brainstorm solutions for overcoming them.

Referring

These professionals provide referrals to other community resources as clients work to get their lives back on track.

Working with family members

They meet with family members to help them understand the nature of addiction and its treatment options.

Education

Learning how to become an addiction counselor is beneficial if you are interested in a career helping individuals get the treatment and support they need to address their substance use disorders. Following this educational path may help prepare you with the necessary skills and experiences to pursue a career in the counseling field.

High School Diploma

If you are in high school and considering a career in the counseling field, talk to your guidance counselor about taking related subjects, such as psychology. You may also consider taking courses in life sciences as well as communication or language classes.

College Degree

When choosing a bachelor’s program, make sure your degree provides a solid foundation in counseling so your skills may later be applied toward an advanced degree and licensure. While some states and employers require only a bachelor’s degree for addiction counselors, other states and positions require a master’s degree in order to practice. (See disclaimer 3 )

Internships

In graduate school, your master’s degree curriculum will typically involve a practicum and internship…