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This question is about what a substance abuse counselor does, substance abuse counselor, and substance abuse counselor jobs.
What does it take to be a drug counselor?
To become a drug counselor requires some education and clinic experience, along with a strong desire to want to help others.
While it's possible to be a substance abuse counselor without a degree or certification in some places, certification can open the door to many professional opportunities. Without a certification, candidates need extensive work experience related to addiction treatment to become addiction counselors.
Not to mention that each state has its own requirements for addiction counselors. Across all states, counselors need at least a bachelor's degree, though they cannot open a private practice without a graduate-level degree.
In some states, licensure can be achieved with a bachelor's degree. Candidates typically spend 4,000 to 10,000 hours gaining supervised experience.
However, those with master's degrees may only need around 1,000 hours of clinical experience. These hours may be done through internships or practicums, which are usually a part of your degree program. After these hours are completed, a candidate can take an exam to become licensed.
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