Should i become a substance abuse counselor

You should make sure any program you choose is accredited, so that you can be assured of quality, and that you can apply for federal financial aid to help you pay for school. Government financial aid is the most common form of aid. Licensing and certification guidelines for substance abuse counselors vary by state.

Make sure to check the guidelines in your state before you start your studies. Most states require that you get two years of clinical experience before they will grant you a license.

Before you can become a substance abuse counselor, you must have 2, hours of supervised work experience. In order to administer substance abuse treatment, you must be licensed by your state board. Since every state is unique, check your state regulatory board for specific requirements.

But salaries vary greatly based on location, years of experience and a variety of other factors. According to the U. Addiction is a disease that is plaguing our nation, and millions of Americans are affected by alcohol and drug addiction.

But how can you tell if this is the right career for you? If you love being around people and interacting with people throughout the day, than a career as a substance abuse counselor might be a great fit for you. There are many social people that love helping others and being around others, but not all of these people possess excellent listening skills.

However, if you are the type of person that people naturally turn to when they need to talk about something important, this is a good indicator that you would be a good therapist.

When a person is in recovery, they desperately need people to talk to and unload some of the burdens they have been carrying. This will be a huge part of your job as a drug and alcohol counselor, so if you love to listen, you probably will be a good match for this job. You might be wondering what this has to do with substance abuse counseling. For most counselors, their favorite part of the job is talking with their clients and helping them work through issues and plan out their recovery.

All of this data must be compiled and processed on a daily basis, so the reality is that counselors have to deal with a lot of paperwork. Likewise as you complete your hours toward certification, you gain real-world practical experience with all of this documentation. By the time you are an official counselor, you will be full of knowledge about your profession and all it entails. If you are interested in the field of substance abuse recovery, you are likely a compassionate person.

To be a successful addictions counselor, you should also be an excellent listener and extremely patient. If you have what it takes to treat addiction, your skills are needed now more than ever. There is a shortage of qualified people willing to take on the role. Working as a substance abuse counselor carries a great deal of responsibility.

Some of the most vulnerable society members will rely on you to overcome one of the most devastating disorders imaginable: drug and alcohol abuse. Nevertheless, the rewards can be immense. Earning a salary while helping people recover from addiction can lead to an incredibly fulfilling career. Contact us today to get started with the online program. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Judy Redman. The Role of a Substance Abuse Counselor If you are wondering just how severe drug and alcohol abuse is in the United States, take a look at these numbers from the American Addiction Centers website: In , substance abuse affected almost 20 million adults.

Three quarters suffered from alcohol abuse. Over eight million battled the co-occurrence of mental illness and substance abuse. Addiction costs U. Working with clients—and their families, if appropriate—to create goals and a treatment plan. Helping clients identify addictive habits and giving them tools to modify their behavior.