What Do Substance Abuse Counselor Do?
Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
What Do Substance Abuse Counselors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.
- Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.
- Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
- Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
- Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.
- Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
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Substance Abuse Counselor Skills
These are the skills Substance Abuse Counselors say are the most useful in their careers:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Types of Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
- Drug Abuse Technician
- Case Manager
- Treatment Coordinator
- Direct Care Counselor
- Behavioral Analyst
Substance Abuse Counselor Employment Estimates
There were about 102,400 jobs for Substance Abuse Counselor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,800 new jobs for Substance Abuse Counselor by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,100 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Substance Abuse Counselor are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Maine, or Idaho. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What Tools do Substance Abuse Counselors Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Substance Abuse Counselors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Scheduling software
- Statistical software
- Presentation software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Case management software
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- Addison Health Systems WritePad EMR Systems
- Practice Technology Prevail
How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
Are there Substance Abuse Counselors education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor might also be interested in the following careers:
- Psychiatrists
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Those who work as a Substance Abuse Counselor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Katie Spencer via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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