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Substance abuse services director vs substance abuse counselor

The differences between substance abuse services directors and substance abuse counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a substance abuse services director, becoming a substance abuse counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a substance abuse services director has an average salary of $83,088, which is higher than the $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.

The top three skills for a substance abuse services director include substance abuse, social work and substance abuse treatment. The most important skills for a substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.

Substance abuse services director vs substance abuse counselor overview

Substance Abuse Services DirectorSubstance Abuse Counselor
Yearly salary$83,088$43,069
Hourly rate$39.95$20.71
Growth rate9%-
Number of jobs57,82778,643
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Average age4539
Years of experience46

Substance abuse services director vs substance abuse counselor salary

Substance abuse services directors and substance abuse counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Substance Abuse Services DirectorSubstance Abuse Counselor
Average salary$83,088$43,069
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $125,000Between $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 substance abuse services director and substance abuse counselor education

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

Substance Abuse Services DirectorSubstance Abuse Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Substance abuse services director vs substance abuse counselor demographics

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

Substance Abuse Services DirectorSubstance Abuse Counselor
Average age4539
Gender ratioMale, 48.1% Female, 51.9%Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage15%12%

Differences between substance abuse services director and substance abuse counselor duties and responsibilities

Substance abuse services director example responsibilities.

  • Manage the departmental budget by adjusting therapist schedules to more efficiently schedule patients.
  • Re-Accredite program with CARF and new accreditation (CARF) of adolescent outpatient and intensive outpatient program.
  • Refocuse strategic mission of psychiatry toward integration and support of hospital services.
  • Perform patient chart audits ensuring proper documentation and patient care are provided per Medicare and Medicaid guidelines.
  • Negotiate contracts for inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation for HMO patients.
  • Create and implement psycho-educational groups pertaining to methadone and substance abuse and behavioral health.

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.
  • Show more

Substance abuse services director vs substance abuse counselor skills

Common substance abuse services director skills
  • Substance Abuse, 24%
  • Social Work, 14%
  • Substance Abuse Treatment, 10%
  • Treatment Programs, 6%
  • Treatment Services, 5%
  • Clinical Supervision, 5%
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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