Drug abuse counselor vs substance abuse counselor

The differences between drug abuse counselors and substance abuse 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 a substance abuse counselor. Additionally, a drug abuse counselor has an average salary of $49,420, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.

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

Drug abuse counselor vs substance abuse counselor overview

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Yearly salary	$49,420	$43,069
Hourly rate	$23.76	$20.71
Growth rate	11%	-
Number of jobs	27,596	78,643
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age	39	39
Years of experience	6	6

Drug abuse counselor vs substance abuse counselor salary

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

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average salary	$49,420	$43,069
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $68,000	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 drug abuse counselor and substance abuse counselor education

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

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Drug abuse counselor vs substance abuse counselor demographics

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

	Drug Abuse Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
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 substance abuse 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.

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.

Drug abuse counselor vs substance abuse 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 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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Drug Abuse Counselor
Drug Abuse Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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