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Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs family therapist

The differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialists and family therapists 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 family therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a family therapist has an average salary of $50,774, 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 family therapist are social work, patients, and rehabilitation.

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs family therapist overview

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistFamily Therapist
Yearly salary$32,253$50,774
Hourly rate$15.51$24.41
Growth rate-14%
Number of jobs67,192106,982
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age3941
Years of experience64

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs family therapist salary

Drug and alcohol treatment specialists and family therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistFamily Therapist
Average salary$32,253$50,774
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityOxnard, CARochester, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiOregon
Best paying companyCommonwealth Of PennsylvaniaDignity Health
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialist and family therapist education

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

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistFamily Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at AlbanyCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs family therapist demographics

Here are the differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialists' and family therapists' demographics:

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistFamily Therapist
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%6%

Differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialist and family therapist 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.

Family therapist example responsibilities.

  • Complete documentation to medicaid standards.
  • Create maximum billable Medicaid hours and submitting necessary paperwork for Medicaid billing.
  • Apply behavioral analysis instruction for a student with autism concentrating on communication, socialization, self-help skills and community skills.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs family therapist 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 family therapist skills
  • Social Work, 27%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • Mental Health Issues, 4%
  • Group Therapy, 3%

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