Crisis intervention counselor vs substance abuse counselor

The differences between crisis intervention 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 intervention counselor, becoming a substance abuse counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a crisis intervention counselor has an average salary of $52,041, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.

The top three skills for a crisis intervention counselor include social work, behavioral problems and safety planning. The most important skills for a substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.

Crisis intervention counselor vs substance abuse counselor overview

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Yearly salary	$52,041	$43,069
Hourly rate	$25.02	$20.71
Growth rate	9%	-
Number of jobs	30,988	78,643
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	41	39
Years of experience	4	6

Crisis intervention counselor vs substance abuse counselor salary

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

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average salary	$52,041	$43,069
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $71,000	Between $27,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Trenton, NJ
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Sante Group	Erlanger Health System
Best paying industry	Transportation	Non Profits

Differences between crisis intervention counselor and substance abuse counselor education

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

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Crisis intervention counselor vs substance abuse counselor demographics

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

	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average age	41	39
Gender ratio	Male, 30.7% Female, 69.3%	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 intervention counselor and substance abuse counselor duties and responsibilities

Crisis intervention 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 group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

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 intervention counselor vs substance abuse counselor skills

Common crisis intervention counselor skills

Social Work, 19%
Behavioral Problems, 7%
Safety Planning, 6%
Mental Health Crisis, 6%
Hotline Calls, 6%
Child Abuse, 6%

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 Intervention Counselor
Crisis Intervention Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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