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Substance abuse technician vs addictions counselor

The differences between substance abuse technicians and addictions 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 substance abuse technician and an addictions counselor. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $35,408 average annual salary of a substance abuse technician.

The top three skills for a substance abuse technician include substance abuse treatment, patients and mental health. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Substance abuse technician vs addictions counselor overview

Substance Abuse TechnicianAddictions Counselor
Yearly salary$35,408$47,226
Hourly rate$17.02$22.70
Growth rate4%12%
Number of jobs90,71079,459
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age3939
Years of experience66

What does a substance abuse technician do?

A substance abuse technician works at facilities that aim to support the treatment of clients suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, and other interfering behavior. They work alongside counselors and fellow technicians in the joint effort to implement rehabilitation programs and help patients reach their journey to sobriety. Moreover, a substance abuse technician develops and coordinates treatment plans with health care professionals, conducts research and assessments, administers medications according to protocols, and monitors the patients' progress throughout the rehabilitation processes.

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

Substance abuse technician vs addictions counselor salary

Substance abuse technicians and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Substance Abuse TechnicianAddictions Counselor
Average salary$35,408$47,226
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $49,000Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityKingman, AZPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateHawaiiPennsylvania
Best paying companySea Mar Community Health CentersWellpath
Best paying industryManufacturingNon Profits

Differences between substance abuse technician and addictions counselor education

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

Substance Abuse TechnicianAddictions Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachHunter College of the City University of New York

Substance abuse technician vs addictions counselor demographics

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

Substance Abuse TechnicianAddictions Counselor
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 33.7% Female, 66.3%Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
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, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between substance abuse technician and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Substance abuse technician example responsibilities.

  • Work with outside counsel to develop patent and trademark portfolio and manage patent litigation.
  • Coordinate community base services, identifies high-risk patients, veterans and provides case management and crisis intervention services.
  • Provide care to chemically dependent patients in short-term social model detox program working directly with patients/families in all areas of recovery.
  • Collect sample for DNA testing.
  • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  • Maintain the integrity of all specimens under DOT/non-DOT guidelines.
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Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

  • Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
  • Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
  • Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
  • Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
  • Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
  • Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).
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Substance abuse technician vs addictions counselor skills

Common substance abuse technician skills
  • Substance Abuse Treatment, 16%
  • Patients, 13%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 8%
  • Patient Care, 7%
  • Client Transportation, 5%
Common addictions counselor skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Chemical Dependency, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
  • Intake Assessments, 4%

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