A substance abuse counselor specializes in providing support and treatment for people experiencing substance use and addiction problems.
A substance abuse counselor is a mental health counselor who specializes in the treatment of chemical dependency and addiction. These counselors are also known as addiction counselors, and they provide support and services to assist with addiction treatment.1
The requirements for being this type of counselor may differ from state to state, so it is best to check with a local state board for the exact specifications. However, there are some general requirements that most all counselors must meet, which include:
While most of these counselors are only required to have a Bachelor’s degree, a substance use therapist is required to hold a higher degree, such as a Master’s or doctorate degree. These counselors can work at treatment centers, hospitals, or public health centers.
The specific job requirements of what each counselor does will vary depending on what facility they work in, along with the type of patients they help. Most often, however, addiction counselors who hold Bachelor’s degrees will be able to:
The role of a substance abuse counselor may include performing screening and assessments to determine the level of severity of the addiction and any other biopsychosocial information to help inform the individual treatment plan.
An example of a comprehensive assessment that a drug abuse counselor may use is the criteria from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), which focuses on six dimensions including medical conditions, mental health complications, living environment, and others.2
After completing any screenings or assessments, the role of this type of counselor is to work with the individual on creating a treatment plan catered specifically to their needs. Treatment plans should focus on the goals that the individual would like to achieve while in treatment.
All forms of substance abuse counseling require some type of therapy. The alcohol and substance abuse counselor will be involved with conducting both group and individual therapy. However, depending on the place of work and state requirements, some counselors must hold a Master’s degree or higher to conduct individual therapy sessions.
Substance counseling also focuses on relapse prevention. This means working with individuals on understanding potential risks and building skills and resources to work to avoid relapse.
If an individual is not appropriate for a certain level of services, requires a higher or lower level of care, or needs support services after treatment, it is the program’s responsibility to help support patients and clients with other resources as needed.
Addiction counselors are also required to keep records. These records may be required by insurance companies and the company the addiction counselor works for, but records are also important in keeping track of progress and informing the next steps of the individual’s treatment. All records should comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other state privacy laws.
To become a substance abuse counselor, it is important to research the education requirements in your state. Those that attend these programs that are aimed at achieving a higher degree, such as a Master’s or doctorate, are more likely to be able to provide individual and family therapy than those with a Bachelor’s degree. A drug abuse counselor with a higher degree may also have the opportunity to work in private practices.
If you’re looking to become this type of counselor, it’s important to think about:
Additionally, it’s important to note that if you’re planning to pursue a higher degree, you will be required to complete between 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience and pass a state exam in order to become a licensed therapist.5 However, you can also become certified in counseling for drug abuse without a therapy license.6
There are many counseling theories for substance abuse that help to determine the most effective techniques for the treatment of addiction. Substance abuse counseling can be complicated and may utilize a variety of techniques to improve treatment outcomes.
Some of the counseling interventions for substance abuse include:
There are several benefits of being this type of counselor, including assisting individuals on their recovery journeys, being able to be a consultant and mentor, and helping to contribute to the community in varying ways.
Some of the other ways that social work for substance abuse helps to contribute to society and the community are:
San Diego Detox is a full-service detoxification center focused on holistic and individualized treatment for addiction and mental health concerns. Using evidence-based practices, our dedicated and compassionate team of mental health professionals work every day to help individuals overcome their substance abuse challenges.
To learn more about addiction counseling and find out the benefits of being a substance abuse counselor, contact us today.
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