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The differences between alcohol and drug counselors and primary therapists 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 primary therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a primary therapist has an average salary of $59,826, 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 primary therapist are patients, social work, and group therapy sessions.
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Primary Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $45,758 | $59,826 |
| Hourly rate | $22.00 | $28.76 |
| Growth rate | - | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 77,461 | 85,127 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| 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.
Primary therapists are the main point of contact for patients concerning wellness and overall mental health. Those who choose this career path will be expected to supervise and manage efficient treatment according to plan, and to manage between six and eight patients at a time, keeping in constant communication with these patients and various specialists.
Alcohol and drug counselors and primary therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Primary Therapist | |
| Average salary | $45,758 | $59,826 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $68,000 | Between $43,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Rosa, CA | Thousand Oaks, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Montage Health | Appalachian Regional Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Finance |
There are a few differences between an alcohol and drug counselor and a primary therapist in terms of educational background:
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Primary Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| 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 primary therapists' demographics:
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | Primary Therapist | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% | Male, 27.1% Female, 72.9% |
| 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% |