Discover the importance of substance abuse counselors and how they impact those on the road to recovery from addiction. Substance abuse counselors, commonly referred to as addiction counselors, use their knowledge of psychology, social science, and counseling techniques to create comprehensive strategies to aid their clients to better cope without the use of alcohol or drugs
Saybrook University’s M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization is designed to teach students how to work with clients along their healing journey in various settings. One of the popular career outcomes of this clinical mental health counseling degree is a substance abuse counselor. This program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), indicating that the program meets the standards within the clinical mental health counseling field.
The State of Substance Abuse in the United States
In 2022, almost 49 million people in America aged 12 and older had substance use disorders from either alcohol or drug use. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol abuse has increased by 23%, and drug abuse increased by 16% for people who had already been using those substances pre-pandemic. Only one out of 10 people who need substance abuse treatment receives it due to the stigma around seeking help, lack of insurance coverage, and the unavailability of quality care.
What Is a Substance Abuse Counselor?
Substance abuse counselors advise and support people with addictions to alcohol and drugs. Addiction counselors provide counsel to those struggling with addiction and utilize their holistic education backgrounds to identify stressors that trigger substance use and come up with a plan to manage those stressors. Due to the nature of the field, compassion, patience, and communication skills are important qualities in a substance abuse counselor.
Addiction counselors work with the patients, discussing their drug or alcohol history and evaluating the extent of the addiction. This helps the counselors create long- and short-term recovery plans for the patient while helping their family understand the impact of addiction and providing ways to support the patient.
What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?
An addiction counselor may implement various approaches to substance abuse treatment and recovery, including individual and group therapy, and crisis intervention.
Different types of therapy techniques work in various ways to create a holistic therapy plan for those struggling with substance abuse. With the goal of creating a sustainable recovery for the client, each therapy technique adds benefits for working toward that goal.
- Individual therapy: Increases understanding of the patient's behavioral patterns to better manage triggers and coping mechanisms.
- Group therapy: Reduces isolation a patient may feel while struggling with substance abuse or addiction. Group therapy also encourages a sense of teamwork to work together to build the group up during recovery.
- Crisis intervention: Works to abate the intensity of the patient’s emotional, physical, and mental distress toward a crisis event or trigger.
- Recovery plan: Includes long-term and short-term goals and strategies to help patients work toward and recognize progress, avoid risks, and maintain healthy behaviors.
How to Become an Addiction Counselor
Here are five steps to becoming a licensed professional counselor who specializes in substance abuse or addiction.
- Visit the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) website to view the licensing requirements for the state in which you plan to practice.
- Pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling.
- Complete clinical experience (4,000 to 10,000 hours)
- Revisit the NBCC’s website to schedule your state licensing exam. Depending on your state, you are required to take either the National Counselor Examination (NCE), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE), or both.
- Renew licensing every few years or complete 40 or more hours of continuing education every two years as required.
What Is the Average Addiction Counselor's Salary?
The average annual salary for substance abuse counselors in the U.S. is $53,710, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.*
*Data gathered in 2023.
Outlook on Addiction Counselor Jobs
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the substance abuse and addiction counselor job outlook is projected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, which is much higher than the average job outlook. This data was collected at the time of publishing.
Pursue Your Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree
The CACREP-accredited M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Mental Health Counseling Specialization at Saybrook University is designed to meet the educational requirements to become a licensed professional counselor after graduation and pass the licensing exam. For prospective students interested in becoming an addiction counselor, this master’s program offers a gateway to meaningful impact. Through valuable insights and guided exploration, students can start their journey toward professional counseling excellence for addiction recovery. Our graduates are equipped with the skills to become catalysts for positive change in the lives of individuals and communities struggling with substance abuse and addiction.
