Drug abuse worker vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between drug abuse workers and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a drug abuse worker and a behavioral health specialist. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $36,741 average annual salary of a drug abuse worker.

The top three skills for a drug abuse worker include substance abuse treatment, crisis intervention and abuse program. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Drug abuse worker vs behavioral health specialist overview

	Drug Abuse Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary	$36,741	$44,808
Hourly rate	$17.66	$21.54
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	22,487	130,222
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

Drug abuse worker vs behavioral health specialist salary

Drug abuse workers and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Drug Abuse Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average salary	$36,741	$44,808
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $46,000	Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	-	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Maxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between drug abuse worker and behavioral health specialist education

There are a few differences between a drug abuse worker and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:

	Drug Abuse Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 44%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Social Work	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Drug abuse worker vs behavioral health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between drug abuse workers' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:

	Drug Abuse Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2%	Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between drug abuse worker and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Drug abuse worker example responsibilities.

Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
Require to successfully complete yearly training for medication management, behavioral management and periodic CPR and first aid certifications.
Facilitate institutional AA meetings as necessary.

Behavioral health specialist example responsibilities.

Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Complete training in CPR, self-defense, and mental health.
Monitor meals for residents suffering from eating disorders and provide compassion and encouragement when an individual are struggling with eating.
Work with kids who have special needs.
Ensure departments are in compliance with MSHA and OSHA regulations.
Provide daily and weekly detail reports on client and BHP interaction.

Drug abuse worker vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common drug abuse worker skills

Substance Abuse Treatment, 39%
Crisis Intervention, 14%
Abuse Program, 13%
Transport Clients, 12%
Clinical Supervision, 6%
Group Therapy, 4%

Common behavioral health specialist skills

Patients, 16%
Social Work, 16%
Substance Abuse, 8%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Patient Care, 6%
Mental Illness, 5%

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Community and Social Services Industry
Drug Abuse Worker
Drug Abuse Worker vs Behavioral Health Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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