Certified Substance Abuse Counselors help people to overcome and conquer dependencies on substances such as alcohol and various drugs like narcotics, cocaine, heroin etc. Their responsibilities include maintaining patients’ medical history, evaluating their mental and physical health, determining a proper treatment and recovery program, assessing patient’s progress, organizing counseling program on lifestyle changes and prevention of substance abuse etc.
In addition, these professionals offer moral support to the drug addicted persons and their family members as the recovery period is quite challenging. They also collaborate with doctors, psychologists, social workers and other professionals to provide other necessary services.
Certified Substance Abuse Counselors conduct both one-on-one and group counseling sessions. They work in many different settings such as public and private hospitals, community health centers, mental health centers, detention centers, rehabilitation centers, educational institutions, research centers, NGOs etc. They can also open their own private practices.
Education Requirements
To become a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor, educational requirement differs from a high school diploma to a master’s degree depending on the working environment. However, these professionals holding a high school diploma need to take training on the job.
At degree level, the course work includes pharmacology, psychology, addiction studies, behavioral science or related majors. During master’s program, the students spend time with patients at clinics.
Licensure and Certification
Since most states of USA require a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor to be licensed, the aspiring candidates have to obtain a License after passing a required examination. The Association for Addictions Professionals (NAADAC) offers variety of certifications to these professionals.
Skill Set
Apart from academic knowledge, Certified Substance Abuse Counselors possess wide range of skills such as analytical and decision making abilities, effective communication and interpersonal skills, ability to maintain privacy and confidentiality, understanding patients’ emotions, tolerance for patients’ response with violence in some cases etc.
Job Outlook and Salary
The job outlook for a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor remains excellent across the USA. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth rate for job opportunities in this profession may rise 31 per cent during 2012-2022. The average annual salary of an Addictions Counselors was $38,620 in 2013.