Primary counselor vs substance abuse counselor

The differences between primary 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 primary counselor and a substance abuse counselor. Additionally, a primary counselor has an average salary of $44,580, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.

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

Primary counselor vs substance abuse counselor overview

	Primary Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Yearly salary	$44,580	$43,069
Hourly rate	$21.43	$20.71
Growth rate	9%	-
Number of jobs	65,753	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

Primary counselor vs substance abuse counselor salary

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

	Primary Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average salary	$44,580	$43,069
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	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 primary counselor and substance abuse counselor education

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

	Primary Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	California State University - Long Beach

Primary counselor vs substance abuse counselor demographics

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

	Primary Counselor	Substance Abuse Counselor
Average age	39	39
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	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 primary counselor and substance abuse counselor duties and responsibilities

Primary counselor example responsibilities.

Coordinate individual client treatment plans to achieve individual and department rehabilitation goals.
Conduct intake screenings and assessment for treatment entry and appropriateness per ASAM criteria.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans base on patient needs and ASAM criteria.
Maintain accurate and complete chart documentation regarding patient attitude and progress in the rehabilitation process following program protocols.
Facilitate group activities, arrange for outside recovery-orient NA/AA meetings, and provide a safe environment for recovering patients.
Facilitate substance abuse group counseling sessions to assist patients in recognizing causal factors of substance abuse and in developing coping behaviors.

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.

Primary counselor vs substance abuse counselor skills

Common primary counselor skills

Group Therapy Sessions, 10%
Mental Health, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 10%
Patients, 8%
Intake Assessments, 8%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 8%

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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Primary Counselor vs Substance Abuse Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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