The median yearly earning for those employed in residential substance abuse facilities was $42,900, while the median for those in government settings was $60,450. The goal is to help people gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of the community resources and treatments available to help them recover. Through education, people are often inspired to enter treatment on their own. Rather than seeing addiction as a personal failing, experts now view addiction as a brain-based condition that involves a complex interaction between genetics, brain circuits, the environment, and individual experiences. Instead, the counselor’s responsibility is to help patients recognize their problematic behaviors, guide them into recovery, and empower them to take action and change these behaviors.
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- But all that being said, alcohol and drug counseling is also an extremely rewarding career.
- Consequently, professionals who pursue this career path play an important role in the field of clinical mental health counseling.
- Developing a comprehensive relapse prevention plan is an essential function of the counselor’s role in addiction recovery.
- In the past, addiction was often regarded as a character flaw or moral failure.
A Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS) is a person that helps patients in facilities that provide medication-assisted treatments, such as methadone, disulfiram and other medications. The requirements to become an addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) can vary based on your employer and which state you live in in the U.S. Our addiction specialist programs can be completed https://sober-home.org/ in just six months (or less) and we have three options. We have an in-class hybrid option where students attend class at our Los Angeles-area campus one weekend per month for six months. Special Topics and Resources presents a bank of important topics and additional resources for those in recovery, families, and individuals wanting to learn more about substance use disorder recovery.
What Is a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Professionals in private practice must be licensed by the state where they work. These professionals work with individuals who experience a range of substance use issues. This may involve working with people with alcohol use disorders, but they may also work with clients with substance use disorders involving drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription medications.
The Role of the Substance Abuse Counselor in Addiction Recovery
If you want to help, becoming a substance abuse counselor could be a solid career choice. Recovering from addiction is difficult, but when therapeutic alliances develop, clients are more likely to discuss their hardships, which can help them on their path to recovery. Consequently, professionals who pursue this career path play an important role in the field of clinical mental health counseling. Professionals who have an interest in helping people cope with and overcome addiction may be drawn to a career as a substance abuse counselor.
What is an addiction counselor?
For addicts, in particular, service combats problematic patterns such as isolation, narcissism, resentment, and relapse and builds empathy, self-esteem, and a sense of purpose. The BLS is committed to providing data promptly and according to established schedules. Automated retrieval programs (commonly called “robots” or “bots”) can cause delays and interfere with other customers’ timely access to information. Therefore, bot activity that doesn’t conform to BLS usage policy is prohibited. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.
Substance Abuse Counselor Skills, Job Growth and Salary
To maintain licensure and keep up with these new treatment methods and the latest research, substance abuse counselors need to engage in continuing education throughout their careers. The NAADAC website also lists some CE opportunities under the Education tab can you drink alcohol on prednisolone on its homepage at Many substance abuse counselors use a holistic approach, looking at the whole person and considering all aspects of their life. This could include physical health, mental health, relationships, living conditions, and even spiritual beliefs.