How To Become A Chemical Dependency Professional: What It Is and Career Path

What is a chemical dependency professional and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Erik Longnecker

The average chemical dependency professional salary is $47,509. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an chemical engineering major. It usually takes 4-6 years of experience to become a chemical dependency professional. Chemical dependency professionals with a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 9% and produce 64,000 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a chemical dependency professional?

Erik Longnecker

Program Manager, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Office of Public and Governmental Affairs Public Affairs Division

ATF Deputy Assistant Director of Human Resources & Professional Development, Peter J. Forcelli, who oversees Training & Professional Development for the agency commented, "There have been a number of challenges in 2020 to onboarding new ATF Special Agents. COVID restrictions made changes to the way we were recruiting. In the past, we primarily recruited in person; in March we turned to technology and the use of the internet to participate in virtual job fairs. We followed the recommendations on the wearing of masks and using appropriate social distancing and continued to get Special Agent applicants through the examination, the Physical Task Test, the panel interview, the polygraph and medical examinations, and a rigorous background investigation, in order to receive a Top-Secret Security Clearance. In addition to continuing these requirements, I am happy to report that in Fiscal Year 2020, despite challenges from COVID and the civil unrest, 186 individuals from very diverse backgrounds became ATF Special Agents. Many have already completed the entire training regimen to include the Criminal Investigator's Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia, followed by ATF's Special Agent Basic Training Program at the ATF National Academy, which is 14-weeks long, and involves extensive training in firearms technology, interviewing, case management, tactics, post-blast investigations, arson investigations, and federal firearms laws. Law enforcement is a calling for most who enter this field, and we persevere. As a former NYPD Detective and having been an ATF Agent for almost 20 years, it is a rewarding career - and I have never looked back. I expect the young men and women who became ATF Special Agents during this unpredictable year to feel the same way. I'm proud they chose ATF and confident in their abilities to meet our mission and continue protecting the American people from violent gun crime.

ScoreChemical Dependency ProfessionalUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,509

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.9

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.86%

Asian 4.56%

Black or African American 11.43%

Hispanic or Latino 15.39%

Unknown 4.56%

White 63.21%

Gender

female 65.58%

male 34.42%

Age - 37

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37

Stress level

9.9

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.9

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a chemical dependency professional

Explore chemical dependency professional education requirements

Most common chemical dependency professional degrees

Bachelor's

41.7 %

Associate

31.8 %

Master's

15.6 %

Start to develop specific chemical dependency professional skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	24.07%
CDP	15.54%
Mental Health	9.44%
Substance Abuse	8.15%
Treatment Services	3.85%

Complete relevant chemical dependency professional training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New chemical dependency professionals learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a chemical dependency professional based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real chemical dependency professional resumes.

Research chemical dependency professional duties and responsibilities

Lead training for staff on specific counseling interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders.
Observe strict compliance with all HIPPA guidelines
Conduct substance use assessments, diagnose DSM multi-axis clients, and design ISSP treatment plans.
Maintain a positive therapeutic relationship with patients while maintaining professional boundaries.

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When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your chemical dependency professional resume.

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