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Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialists and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a drug and alcohol treatment specialist, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $32,253 average annual salary of a drug and alcohol treatment specialist.

The top three skills for a drug and alcohol treatment specialist include mental health, crisis intervention and group therapy sessions. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs behavioral health specialist overview

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary$32,253$44,808
Hourly rate$15.51$21.54
Growth rate-9%
Number of jobs67,192130,222
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age3945
Years of experience64

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs behavioral health specialist salary

Drug and alcohol treatment specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Average salary$32,253$44,808
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CityOxnard, CAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyCommonwealth Of PennsylvaniaMaxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industryGovernmentInsurance

Differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialist and behavioral health specialist education

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

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at AlbanyCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs behavioral health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistBehavioral Health Specialist
Average age3945
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialist and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Conduct substance abuse assessments and submit treatment recommendations for DUI and felony offenders.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.

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.
  • Show more

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common drug and alcohol treatment specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 31%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Group Therapy Sessions, 8%
  • Substance Abuse Issues, 8%
  • Motivational, 7%
  • Community Programs, 7%
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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