Alcoholic counselor vs addictions counselor

The differences between alcoholic counselors and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an alcoholic counselor and an addictions counselor. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $43,635 average annual salary of an alcoholic counselor.

The top three skills for an alcoholic counselor include social work, discharge planning and AOD. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Alcoholic counselor vs addictions counselor overview

	Alcoholic Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Yearly salary	$43,635	$47,226
Hourly rate	$20.98	$22.70
Growth rate	-	12%
Number of jobs	27,287	79,459
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	6	6

Alcoholic counselor vs addictions counselor salary

Alcoholic counselors and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Alcoholic Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average salary	$43,635	$47,226
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $58,000	Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Wellpath
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between alcoholic counselor and addictions counselor education

There are a few differences between an alcoholic counselor and an addictions counselor in terms of educational background:

	Alcoholic Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	Hunter College of the City University of New York

Alcoholic counselor vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between alcoholic counselors' and addictions counselors' demographics:

	Alcoholic Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 51.3% Female, 48.7%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	12%	12%

Differences between alcoholic counselor and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Alcoholic counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Facilitate substance abuse group counseling sessions to assist patients in recognizing causal factors of substance abuse and in developing coping behaviors.
Collaborate with peers in leadership capacity at recreational summer camp leading, coordinating and organizing daily activities and weekly field trips.

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Alcoholic counselor vs addictions counselor skills

Common alcoholic counselor skills

Social Work, 44%
Discharge Planning, 14%
AOD, 13%
Treatment Services, 9%
Mental Health, 7%
Intake Process, 3%

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

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Alcoholic Counselor
Alcoholic Counselor vs Addictions Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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