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The differences between alcohol and drug counselors and mental health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an alcohol and drug counselor, becoming a mental health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, which is higher than the $45,758 average annual salary of an alcohol and drug counselor.
The top three skills for an alcohol and drug counselor include patients, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $45,758 | $47,321 |
| Hourly rate | $22.00 | $22.75 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 77,461 | 131,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A drug & alcohol counselor treats addicts in either one-on-one or group settings. They help by educating and developing possible treatment plans for patients to support them in coping with their addictive personalities. A drug and alcohol counselor will evaluate to determine the progress has been successfully made towards recovery. They help patients better understand and overcome their addictions. Counselors help through offering support, rehabilitation, and guidance by using various techniques. Drug & alcohol counselors seek to help an addict find the source of their addiction.
A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.
Alcohol and drug counselors and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $45,758 | $47,321 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $68,000 | Between $31,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Montage Health | Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between an alcohol and drug counselor and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between alcohol and drug counselors' and mental health specialists' demographics:
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 15% |