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Counselor/case manager vs addictions counselor

The differences between counselor/case managers and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a counselor/case manager, becoming an addictions counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $39,562 average annual salary of a counselor/case manager.

The top three skills for a counselor/case manager include crisis intervention, patients and social work. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Counselor/case manager vs addictions counselor overview

Counselor/Case ManagerAddictions Counselor
Yearly salary$39,562$47,226
Hourly rate$19.02$22.70
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs88,28579,459
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4339
Years of experience126

What does a counselor/case manager do?

A Counselor provides advice for coping with everyday situations, relationships, health challenges, or disabilities of patients. Case Managers develop, monitor, and evaluate treatment plans and the progress of patients within the social service departments, healthcare companies, hospital networks, etc.

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

Counselor/case manager vs addictions counselor salary

Counselor/case managers and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Counselor/Case ManagerAddictions Counselor
Average salary$39,562$47,226
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $47,000Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityDenver, COPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateConnecticutPennsylvania
Best paying companyParkland HospitalWellpath
Best paying industryEducationNon Profits

Differences between counselor/case manager and addictions counselor education

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

Counselor/Case ManagerAddictions Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachHunter College of the City University of New York

Counselor/case manager vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between counselor/case managers' and addictions counselors' demographics:

Counselor/Case ManagerAddictions Counselor
Average age4339
Gender ratioMale, 30.8% Female, 69.2%Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%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 Percentage11%12%

Differences between counselor/case manager and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Counselor/case manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
  • Provide individual therapy for addict patients with depression, bipolar, anxiety, attention deficit, antisocial/borderline/obsessive compulsive/narcissistic tendencies.
  • Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and assist patients with updating their goals according to their progress.
  • Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
  • Prepare documentation for HOPWA applications.

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).
  • Show more

Counselor/case manager vs addictions counselor skills

Common counselor/case manager skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 13%
  • Patients, 9%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Intake Assessments, 6%
  • Substance Abuse Issues, 6%
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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