Crisis counselor vs substance abuse counselor

The differences between crisis counselors and substance abuse counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a crisis counselor, becoming a substance abuse counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a crisis counselor has an average salary of $51,142, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.

The top three skills for a crisis counselor include social work, patients and mental health crisis. The most important skills for a substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.

Crisis counselor vs substance abuse counselor overview

	Crisis Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Yearly salary	$51,142	$43,069
Hourly rate	$24.59	$20.71
Growth rate	12%	-
Number of jobs	76,255	78,643
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	4	6

What does a crisis counselor do?

A crisis counselor is responsible for providing assistance and emotional support to clients under crises or mental health emergencies caused by stress, trauma, grief, and other factors. Most crisis counselors work at clinics or counseling centers, and there are instances where they can be at schools and organizations. Aside from diagnosing and providing specific treatments, a crisis counselor must also build rapport with clients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way, and serving as a positive influence in their journey to recovery.

What does a substance abuse counselor do?

Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.

Crisis counselor vs substance abuse counselor salary

Crisis counselors and substance abuse counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Crisis Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average salary	$51,142	$43,069
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $69,000	Between $27,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	-	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Hampshire
Best paying company	-	Erlanger Health System
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between crisis counselor and substance abuse counselor education

There are a few differences between a crisis counselor and a substance abuse counselor in terms of educational background:

	Crisis Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Crisis counselor vs substance abuse counselor demographics

Here are the differences between crisis counselors' and substance abuse counselors' demographics:

	Crisis Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 22.9% Female, 77.1%	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	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	15%	12%

Differences between crisis counselor and substance abuse counselor duties and responsibilities

Crisis counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Conduct mental health evaluations and behavioral health crisis assessments for determination of functioning and mental status of patients.
Provide education to patients about relevant aspects of mental illness and/or chemical dependency to support maximum utilization of treatment.
Train to use CPI, MOAB, and CPR as needed.
Aid callers/chatters suffering from various life crises by use of strong listening skills, empathy, and compassion.
Make patient referrals to outpatient medical clinics, community services, or rehabilitation facilities.

Substance abuse counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Perform assessment of patients using ASAM criteria and recommendation for appropriate level of programming.
Process detox patient admissions on computer system which include - conducting alcohol and drug assessment, taking psycho/social history.
Provide clinical services, patient care, education and opiate addiction counseling services to patients receiving methadone maintenance and detoxification treatment.
Certify for first aid and CPR.

Crisis counselor vs substance abuse counselor skills

Common crisis counselor skills

Social Work, 21%
Patients, 8%
Mental Health Crisis, 6%
Social Services, 5%
Crisis Management, 4%
Suicide Prevention, 4%

Common substance abuse counselor skills

Patients, 16%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 11%
Social Work, 8%
Crisis Intervention, 8%
Intake Assessments, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%

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Crisis Counselor
Crisis Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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