Author: John Carter

What Is a Substance Abuse Counselor?

It’s a great idea to narrow down the type of career you hope to pursue. Here’s a quick look at some of the professional pathways you might want to explore and the required degrees. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year. By Kendra Cherry, MSEdKendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.” Approaches to treating substance misuse and addiction have undergone many changes over time.

All of these qualities play a role in developing what is known as the therapeutic relationship or the working alliance between a mental health professional and a client. This relationship, which involves a bond of respect, trust, and mutual collaboration, can play an important part in successful substance use disorder treatment. The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School educates future leaders in addiction counseling who provide evidence-based integrated care for substance use and co-occurring disorders.

For example, a counselor may need to establish trust with their patients or tell difficult truths. It’s all part of building a healthy counselor-patient relationship. In addition to working with the individual with a substance use problem, counselors also work with couples, families, and others who may be affected by an individual’s substance use. Addiction counselors may also work with specific populations, like teenagers, veterans or people with disabilities. Gambling disorder, which is sometimes referred to as pathological gambling or disordered gambling… Alcohol use disorder occurs, “when the recurrent use of alcohol…causes clinically significant…

The goal is to help people gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of the community resources and treatments available to help them recover. Through education, people are often inspired to enter treatment on their own. With more states legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, counselors are being forced to consider the potential pros and cons in their work with clients. There are a few traits that make counselors particularly effective.

They’re experts on the ins and outs of addiction and develop tailored treatment plans based on your specific addiction, needs and goals. Addiction presents different issues that vary from person to person, so counselors need to tailor their treatment plans to address a variety of needs. They meet regularly with patients to help them recover, and they may work intensely with people in crisis.

These staggering statistics highlight the urgent need for effective intervention and support. Substance abuse counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling or a related field. One survey found that 71% of professionals employed in the addictions workforce held a bachelor’s degree or higher. In January 2020, there were more than 14,000 specialized substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States providing counseling, behavioral therapy, medication, case management and other types of care.

Counselors can help clients break addiction by modifying behavior

For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The last step is to apply for licensure or certification in your state. This may be the International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium’s (IC&RC) Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination or Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor Examination. Or it could be an exam through the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP).

However, individual requirements can vary depending on the state and the employer. An individual’s specific educational background and experience will determine the type of services they can provide. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that focuses on changing thoughts and behavior patterns. Substance abuse counselors often use CBT techniques to help clients recognize the inaccurate thoughts and feelings that help maintain addiction. They also use CBT to teach new coping skills that help people find new ways to deal with cravings, relapses, and stress. Addiction and mental health counseling is an opportunity to change lives and strengthen communities.

Empowering paths to recovery and healing.

A potentially dangerous drug found in most over-the-counter cough medicines is more popular than opioids among teenagers, largely because it is legal, inexpensive and easy to obtain. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The goal is to support each person’s self-efficacy so that they feel motivated and capable of achieving their goals. John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine.

1. Many states require you to have a master’s degree for addiction counseling licensure and certification.
2. However, individual requirements can vary depending on the state and the employer.
3. Addiction presents different issues that vary from person to person, so counselors need to tailor their treatment plans to address a variety of needs.
4. With more states legalizing marijuana for medical and recreational use, counselors are being forced to consider the potential pros and cons in their work with clients.

Around 48% of people working in the addictions field hold a master’s or doctorate. In being aware of the vulnerability to addiction for those affected by adverse childhood experiences, professional counselors can play a pivotal role in prevention and early intervention. Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive and uncontrollable substance use or behavior, despite negative consequences. It affects the brain’s reward system, leading to changes in neural pathways and hijacking one’s ability to make rational decisions. Furthermore, addiction can have far-reaching impacts, including financial problems, strained relationships, and deteriorating physical and mental health.

How many calls do you receive?

You’ll at least need a bachelor’s degree to practice addiction counseling. Many states require you to have a master’s degree for addiction counseling licensure and certification. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities. One study found that people employed as supervisors were more likely to be certified or licensed and hold a masters-level degree.

What is SAMHSA’s National Helpline?

The employment sector also plays an important role in determining salary. The median yearly earning for those employed in residential substance abuse facilities was $42,900, while the median for those in government settings was $60,450. Professionals in private practice must be licensed by the state where they work. Those with master’s-level degrees in fields such as psychology, social work, counseling, and related fields can provide individual counseling or may work in private practice.

The requirements to become an addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) can vary based on your employer and which state you live in in the U.S. Addiction counselors create tailored treatment plans for each person. But there are evidence-based therapies that can help people manage the disease and live a happier, healthier life. For many people affected by addiction, addiction counselors are the vital link to recovery.