I start my day with a conference call with the providers and front desk staff. We review the schedule of patients coming in that day and highlight any patients that we'll need to spend more time with. I make sure providers are spending adequate time with clients throughout the day. I also see to any operational issues—usually regarding timing and the flow of our clinic. At the end of my day, I spend time on chart audits and reporting. I'll highlight issues that we need to address the next day.
CAREER
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$47,660
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+24.7% (much faster than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Do
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Other Job Titles Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors May Have
Addictions Counselor, Case Manager, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADAC), Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor), Chemical Dependency Professional, Clinical Counselor, Counselor, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS), Prevention Specialist, Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
My day revolves around guiding both court-mandated and private individuals. I particularly enjoy connecting with adolescent clients. I focus on teaching healthy boundaries, emphasizing respect and effective communication. Each client's uniqueness brings a variety of goals and unexpected crises, making my schedule unpredictable yet deeply rewarding. It's about adapting, problem-solving, and staying centered on treatment goals amidst the ebb and flow of each day's challenges.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
- Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
- Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's Degree (30%)
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
First Professional Degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Psychology, General
Graduate
Social Work
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Empathy is a very important skill as a substance abuse counselor. You're working with individuals who are struggling, so it's important to be able to empathize and meet them where they are in order to help them.
Other skills are communication, self-managing, and growth.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Going into this career, I recommend having a thick skin because you deal with a lot of different cases. There are days where it is emotionally heavy and you have to have self-care.
There are two major routes into this field. On the medical end, you can pursue a nursing degree to become a nurse practitioner or a medical degree to become an MD. If you want to go the clinical route, you can become a licensed social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed substance abuse counselor, or a marriage and family therapist. When trying to gain experience, it's helpful to network to find opportunities. I recommend using Eventbrite to find opportunities in your industry.
This job requires at least four years of schooling, so I recommend exploring your options for majors that could apply. After graduating, you'll need to get an internship in the field for work experience. If you're not completely sure if you want to take the leap, I suggest volunteering with a program your community offers or even looking into the 40-hour peer support training. That's a good way to test the waters before fully committing.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
