For a comprehensive overview of the program structure and required courses, please refer to the Graduate Catalog. An undergraduate degree will teach you about addiction and treatment methods. Substance abuse counselors diagnose and assess addiction problems, and treat clients in a variety of ways. Addiction not only impacts the individual but also reverberates throughout their familial and social circles. Family therapy recognizes the interconnectedness of these relationships and seeks to address underlying dynamics that may contribute to or perpetuate addiction. Treatment for SUD generally happens either in an inpatient or outpatient setting.

• They may provide individual counseling, lead group therapy sessions, and intervene during crises.
• As part of a comprehensive treatment approach, these modalities offer hope, healing, and the opportunity for a brighter, substance-free future.
• The program should be regionally accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the US Department of Education (USDE).
• Specific job duties often vary depending on where professionals work and the type of support they offer.
• This is much higher than the growth predicted for all professions combined, driven largely by the fact that states are seeking treatment and counseling for drug offenders rather than serving jail time.

Once someone is working in the field, the next step to further their education is to earn a doctorate. The self-help support group message is that addiction is an ongoing disorder with a danger of relapse. Self-help support groups can decrease the sense of shame and isolation that can lead to relapse. Withdrawal from different categories of drugs — such as depressants, stimulants or opioids — produces different side effects and requires different approaches. Detox may involve gradually reducing the dose of the drug or temporarily substituting other substances, such as methadone, buprenorphine, or a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone.

What are the job requirements and responsibilities for addiction counselors?

Substance abuse counselors help people experiencing substance use and drug addiction problems. They provide treatment and support for people trying to overcome substance use disorders or addictions. An addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) provides expert care and support to people who have substance use disorder (SUD), like alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. Employment of substance abuse counselors is expected to grow 18.4% through 2032 says the BLS. This is much higher than the growth predicted for all professions combined, driven largely by the fact that states are seeking treatment and counseling for drug offenders rather than serving jail time.

Upon completion of our Self-Paced or Accelerated Program, students will have earned the 315 hours of state board approved education, including 255 supervised practicum hours. And again, about half the states have licenses specific to addiction counseling, while others only have broader mental health counseling licensure. A holder of a respected, established certification will certainly rise in the eyes of a potential employer. It makes it pretty clear that a person has taken the time to establish competency in addiction counseling.

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Again, to make sure they’re on the right path to becoming a drug and alcohol counselor, students should educate themselves about specific state requirements. Florida, for example, requires students to complete a course in human sexuality. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ We offer this course as an elective, but it’s not a part of the core curricula. If a student knows what education they need to attain before they graduate, they will likely be able to meet those requirements here at the Graduate School.

Counseling provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore their feelings, experiences, and motivations surrounding substance use. Another thing that can be helpful is to prepare yourself emotionally and mentally through your own individual therapy first. Substance abuse treatment is not for the faint of heart as it will challenge you in different ways and has a high risk of death and overdose in clients served. It is literally a “life-or-death” field of service and one in which sometimes a tough love approach is utilized. For example, a counselor may need to establish trust with their patients or tell difficult truths.

How to Become a Substance Abuse/Addictions Counselor

John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPE is board-certified in addiction medicine and preventative medicine. 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). One of the wonderful aspects of the drug rehab and recovery industry is that many of the very best counselors were once addicts and remain in recovery to this day. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/substance-abuse-counseling/ Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers an excellent opportunity to leverage your existing certificate coursework. Transfer up to 12-credits of your certificate coursework towards the master’s degree, saving you time and money.