Become An Addictions Counselor

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Working As An Addictions Counselor

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Documenting/Recording Information
Getting Information
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Deal with People
Unpleasant/Angry People
Mostly Sitting
Make Decisions
Stressful
$39,980
Average Salary

What Does An Addictions Counselor Do

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

How To Become An Addictions Counselor

Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the employer, educational requirements can vary from a high school diploma and certification to a master’s degree.

Education

Most positions require a bachelor’s degree. However, depending on the employer, educational requirements can vary from a high school diploma and certification to a master’s degree. Workers with more education are able to provide more services to their clients, such as private one-on-one counseling sessions, and they require less supervision than those with less education. Those interested should research their state’s educational requirements.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in private practice must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-issued exam and complete continuing education every year. Contact information for your state's regulating board can be found through the National Board for Certified Counselors.

The licensure or certification criteria for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors outside of private practice vary from state to state. For example, not all states require a specific degree, but many require applicants to pass an exam. Contact information for your state’s licensing board can be found through the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network.

Important Qualities

Compassion. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be compassionate and empathize with their clients.

Interpersonal skills. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors must be able to work with different types of people. They spend most of their time working directly with clients or other professionals and must be able to develop and nurture good relationships.

Listening skills. Good listening skills are essential for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors. They need to give their full attention to a client to be able to understand that client’s problems and values.

Patience. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors must be able to remain calm when working with all types of clients, including those who may be distressed or angry.

Speaking skills. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors need to be able to effectively communicate with clients. They must express ideas and information in a way that their clients easily understand.

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Addictions Counselor jobs

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Addictions Counselor Career Paths

Addictions Counselor

Program Coordinator Program Director Clinical Director

Administrative Director, Behavioral Health Services

11 Yearsyrs

Program Director Educator Case Manager

Career Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Licensed Professional Counselor Family Counselor Family Service Counselor

Case Management Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Therapist Program Director Educator

Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Clinician

Clinical Care Manager

8 Yearsyrs

Specialist Case Manager

Clinical Case Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Therapist Clinician

Clinical Supervisor

8 Yearsyrs

Director Of Social Services

6 Yearsyrs

Director Of Social Work

7 Yearsyrs

Clinical Supervisor Nursing Director Case Manager

Therapist

Program Manager Education Director Case Manager

Mental Health Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Clinician Clinical Supervisor Clinical Director

Outpatient Services Director

9 Yearsyrs

Program Director Specialist Case Manager

Senior Case Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Mental Health Therapist Mental Health Specialist Clinician

Mental Health Therapist Mental Health Counselor

Social Services Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Clinical Supervisor Adjunct Professor

Social Work Case Manager

6 Yearsyrs

Counselor

Social Work Supervisor

7 Yearsyrs

Program Manager Service Director Therapist

Therapist And Program Manager

5 Yearsyrs

Average Length of Employment

Licensed Professional Counselor 4.0 years
Addiction Therapist 3.4 years
Alcohol And Drug Counselor 3.3 years
Counselor/Art Therapist 3.0 years
Addictions Counselor 3.0 years
Counselor/Case Manager 2.9 years
Substance Abuse Counselor 2.9 years
Mitochondrial Disorders Counselor 2.7 years
Work Counselor 2.7 years
Mental Health Counselor 2.7 years
Substance Abuse Clinician 2.7 years
Drug Abuse Counselor 2.7 years
Clinical Counselor 2.6 years
Alcoholic Counselor 2.5 years
Chemical Dependency Therapist 2.5 years
Substance Abuse Technician 2.4 years
Group Therapist 2.4 years
Primary Counselor 2.4 years
Therapist And Program Manager 2.4 years
Primary Therapist 2.3 years
Community Health Counselor 2.2 years
Intake Counselor 2.1 years
Adolescent Counselor 2.0 years
Counselor 2.0 years
Counselor Internship 0.9 years
Community Health Internship 0.6 years

Top Careers Before Addictions Counselor

Top Careers After Addictions Counselor

Addictions Counselor Demographics

Gender

Female
65.2%
Male
33.2%
Unknown
1.6%

Ethnicity

White
82.7%
Hispanic or Latino
8.8%
Asian
6.5%
Unknown
1.4%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
69.0%
French
7.0%
German
5.6%
Swedish
2.8%
Portuguese
2.8%
Irish
1.4%
Chinese
1.4%
Mandarin
1.4%
Bosnian
1.4%
Dutch
1.4%
Dakota
1.4%
Russian
1.4%
Polish
1.4%
Cantonese
1.4%

Addictions Counselor

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

Addictions Counselor Education

Schools

Grand Canyon University
12.5%
Capella University
12.0%
Liberty University
8.9%
University of Phoenix
8.1%
Walden University
7.9%
Eastern Illinois University
5.9%
Webster University
5.1%
Troy University
4.8%
University of Central Florida
3.6%
Coppin State University
3.6%
Temple University
3.3%
Towson University
3.3%
University of Maryland - Baltimore
3.1%
State University of New York Buffalo
2.8%
Anne Arundel Community College
2.8%
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
2.5%
Florida State University
2.5%
Governors State University
2.5%
University of South Dakota
2.5%
University of North Dakota
2.3%

Majors

Degrees

Masters
49.9%
Bachelors
24.7%
Other
11.2%
Associate
5.2%
Doctorate
4.1%
Certificate
3.8%
Diploma
0.5%
License
0.4%

Addictions Counselor

Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.

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Real Addictions Counselor Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
Addictions Counselor	Crisis Management Services, Inc.	Philadelphia, PA	Apr 25, 2015	$47,975
Addiction Counselor	Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation	Center City, MN	Aug 26, 2016	$47,629
Addiction Counselor	Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation	Center City, MN	Jul 18, 2016	$47,629
Male Inpatient Drug/Addiction Counselor (CDP) II	Hazelden Foundation	Center City, MN	Mar 01, 2011	$41,250 - $53,400
Addiction Counselor	1775 Summitridge Drive LLC	Beverly Hills, CA	Dec 22, 2012	$37,566
Addictions Counselor	Innovative Health Systems, Inc.	White Plains, NY	Dec 02, 2016	$37,440
Addiction Counselor	Mulvaney Therapy	Santa Monica, CA	Oct 12, 2009	$35,479
Addiction Counselor	Mulvaney Therapy	Santa Monica, CA	Nov 16, 2009	$35,479
Addiction Counselor	Jana Lynn Mulvaney PHD	Santa Monica, CA	Dec 22, 2009	$35,479
Addiction Counselor	Mulvaney Therapy	Santa Monica, CA	Aug 24, 2009	$35,479
Addiction Counselor	Mulvaney Therapy	Santa Monica, CA	Sep 15, 2009	$35,479

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Top Skills for An Addictions Counselor

Top Addictions Counselor Skills

Individual Treatment Plans
Substance Abuse Treatment
Intake Assessments

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Work with clients to formulate individual treatment plans; tailoring the process based on client's needs.
Case managed 40-60 clients in a court mandated intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program.
Performed individual intake assessments and participated in interdisciplinary treatment planning while working collaboratively with other clinical departments to coordinate care.
Provided individual and group counseling, assessments, treatment planning and appropriate referrals.
Attended Cultural Diversity Training and Crisis Intervention Skills.