Drug abuse counselor vs addictions counselor

The differences between drug abuse counselors and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a drug abuse counselor and an addictions counselor. Additionally, a drug abuse counselor has an average salary of $49,420, which is higher than the $47,226 average annual salary of an addictions counselor.

The top three skills for a drug abuse counselor include patients, drug abuse and substance abuse education. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Drug abuse counselor vs addictions counselor overview

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Yearly salary	$49,420	$47,226
Hourly rate	$23.76	$22.70
Growth rate	11%	12%
Number of jobs	27,596	79,459
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	6	6

Drug abuse counselor vs addictions counselor salary

Drug abuse counselors and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average salary	$49,420	$47,226
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $68,000	Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	-	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	-	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	-	Wellpath
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between drug abuse counselor and addictions counselor education

There are a few differences between a drug abuse counselor and an addictions counselor in terms of educational background:

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	Hunter College of the City University of New York

Drug abuse counselor vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between drug abuse counselors' and addictions counselors' demographics:

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	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%	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	12%	12%

Differences between drug abuse counselor and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Drug abuse counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Consult with physicians regarding increase or decrease of methadone dosage.
Supervise and direct other workers providing services to patients.
Provide individual counseling services to opioid dependent clients in outpatient methadone maintenance treatment.
Participate in policy-shaping rehabilitation committee meetings.
Provide DBT group psychotherapy in inpatient, residential setting serving pregnant teenagers and young mothers.

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).

Drug abuse counselor vs addictions counselor skills

Common drug abuse counselor skills

Patients, 14%
Drug Abuse, 10%
Substance Abuse Education, 10%
Discharge Summaries, 10%
Methadone, 6%
Substance Abuse Issues, 5%

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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Drug Abuse Counselor
Drug Abuse Counselor vs Addictions Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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