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Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs mental health specialist

The differences between drug and alcohol treatment specialists and mental 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 mental health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, 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 mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs mental health specialist overview

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistMental Health Specialist
Yearly salary$32,253$47,321
Hourly rate$15.51$22.75
Growth rate-9%
Number of jobs67,192131,449
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age3945
Years of experience64

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs mental health specialist salary

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

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistMental Health Specialist
Average salary$32,253$47,321
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $39,000Between $31,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityOxnard, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyCommonwealth Of PennsylvaniaResearch Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

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

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

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistMental Health Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at AlbanyCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs mental health specialist demographics

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

Drug And Alcohol Treatment SpecialistMental Health Specialist
Average age3945
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1%
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 mental 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.

Mental health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Assist and encourage patients with ADL's including feeding, ambulating, and hygiene to promote patient care.
  • Utilize rehabilitation principles to support individuals, families and communities in developing effective strategies to improve client mental health functioning.
  • Provide psychological care to patients in an in-patient psych unit, including facilitating group activities, crisis intervention, implementing therapeutic approaches
  • Meet physical requirements to complete SAMA and CPR training.
  • Provide kindness and compassion to the deceased and their families.
  • Show more

Drug and alcohol treatment specialist vs mental 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 mental health specialist skills
  • Patients, 19%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 4%

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