How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

Again, our program can be completed in just six months and not over the course of several years as with many comparable university programs. During this practicum, you must complete at least 21 hours in each of the 12 Core Functions of Addiction Counseling. These functions include everything from patient intake to evaluation to conferring with other professionals and much more. You can begin your practicum experience as soon as you’ve completed your first course – Introduction & Overview of Drug and Alcohol Addiction.

Types of Counseling Degrees: How to Find Your Specialization

You can learn more about drug and alcohol counselor licensure through our counselor licensing guide. Despite state requirements, a master’s degree is the best educational program for those looking to become substance abuse counselors because of increased career opportunities. In Texas, for example, there are multiple levels of certification for substance abuse counselors, each reflecting different degrees of specialization and experience.

Work Experience Hours

• Take time for yourself, whether it is vacation, a walk, engaging in your favorite activities and hobbies, or spending time in community with family, friends, or peer support.
• As a licensed counselor with a master’s degree, you can look forward to a strong job market and reliable employment.
• Learn about the statutes, regulations, and guidelines that apply to OTPs and MOUD.
• Every state licensing agency has its own criteria, but there are a few general guidelines that should be helpful.
• Counselors who hold graduate degrees often report higher salaries, with the top 10% of professionals in the field earning more than $77,980.

View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home. None of the above are APA accredited (as we discussed earlier, the American Psychological Association only accredits doctoral programs), but all are either regionally accredited or nationally accredited. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. OTPs must renew their certification annually or every three years depending on the accreditation timeframe awarded. Each of these books serves its purpose nicely, whether as a guide to treatment, an exposition about a particular substance, or a solid reference textbook.

Is addiction counseling the right career for you?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects substance abuse counselor jobs will grow by 25% through the year 2029— a much faster rate than the average for all occupations. In California, for example, more than one type of licensing might be needed to engage in substance abuse counseling. Visit the California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website for an alphabet soup of licensing options. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some form of counselor licensing that governs the practice of mental health counseling. Additionally, some substance abuse and addictions counselors might opt to start their own private clinics.

These are the types of degrees required for admission to a Masters-level program. Requirements vary from state to state, so make sure you know what is required in your state. However, bachelor’s degrees are increasingly expected, even for entry-level roles. The final step before applying for your credential is to complete your supervised work experience hours and this will be the most time-consuming aspect of the certification process. However, you will be paid as you complete these hours, they are simply supervised. The “alphabet soup” of licensing terms and requirements is really confusing.

Standards vary from state to state, but most require a certain amount of education, hands-on work, and ongoing training. Most states require counselors to participate in a supervised internship as part of their coursework. Most play a role in all aspects of treatment, from detox to recovery support to long-term sober living. In short, a person has to truly want to change the way they are before they can actually be changed. Chances are many of those people are dealing with a substance abuse problem, whether they know it or not. Research has shown that millions of people suffer from substance abuse each year.

Substance Abuse Counselor Licensure By State Guide

A recovery-supportive workplace teaches managers and workers about substance use disorders to reduce the stigma around this. The asynchronous online format of our addiction science courses enables you to earn your post-baccalaureate certificate on a schedule that works best for you—and without the need to travel to campus. We understand that you have many professional and personal responsibilities and will work with you to ensure you thrive in this program. On the surface, the book’s tone is anecdotal and practical, but at a deeper level, one senses the hard-won truths the authors bring to the subject and the life-and-death nature of the problem of addiction.

• Required services not provided in medication units must be conducted at the OTP, including medical, counseling, vocational, educational, and other assessment and treatment services.
• After a provisionally certified program becomes accredited, it must apply to SAMHSA for full certification via the renewal application.
• Substance abuse refers to the habitual use of a mind altering substance, whether it’s alcohol or drugs.
• An addiction counselor may choose to focus on the treatment of one particular addiction, a related group of addictions, or the spectrum of addiction disorders.
• He will also usually help a substance abuser set up a support network, consisting of caring individuals that will help the substance abuser work toward recovery.

Nearly half of directors responding to the 2012 survey reported that they faced challenges in staffing facilities with qualified workers. Roughly half cited lack of education and training; the other half cited lack of work experience in substance use disorder facilities. The program may place you in one or more settings where you can make connections and begin to acquire that important (but sometimes elusive) experience. The Addiction Technology Transfer Center calls formal education fundamental. Substance abuse counselor salary ranges depend on several factors, including the level of education, number of hours of field experience, and employment setting. Nonprofit organizations tend to offer lower salaries, while compensation at top-quality residential facilities can be higher.

This type of counseling might also be a stipulation of a person’s prison stay, probation, or parole. Certificate programs often meet the training and education requirements to become certified by the State Department of Health, but it is recommended that you verify the eligibility substance abuse counseling requirements of the state before enrolling in a program. Continuing education (CE) is a common requirement for substance abuse counselors, as they are usually required to complete a certain number of hours of formal training each year to maintain their license.

• Working in the addiction treatment industry can be an extremely fulfilling career.
• The total cost of our program (not including books) is just $4,250, which is far less than you would pay at most colleges and universities.
• Professionals seeking addiction studies jobs require specific qualifications to ensure competent and ethical practice.
• Sometimes a simple regional accreditation will satisfy licensure boards, but there are national accreditations that carry more weight, and which might be preferred if not required.
• Fortunately, there are professionals who specialize in helping individuals overcome substance abuse problems and achieve long-term recovery.