Other times, though, they may be forced to see counselors, either by loved ones or the law. A substance abuse counselor may be asked to help a family with an intervention, for instance, where a person’s loved ones confront him about the negative effects of his substance abuse. This type of counseling might also be a stipulation of a person’s prison stay, probation, or parole. Many state licensing boards require a master’s degree in social work, psychology, or a related field for you to become an addiction counselor.

Substance Abuse Counselor Education Requirements

The criminal justice system will create additional demand for licensed professional counselors to treat drug offenders as an alternative to jail time. In California, for example, more than one type of licensing might be needed to engage in substance abuse counseling. Visit the California Board of Behavioral Sciences’ website for an alphabet soup of licensing options. Those who want to work in medical and healthcare-specific environments should consider a concentration in clinical counseling. Those who wish to work in social work environments should consider rehabilitation counseling concentrations. Our program is entirely online, which is a convenient option for busy, working adults as you can fit your learning into your schedule and don’t have to attend in-person classes.

Featured Online Counseling Programs

We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. The total cost of our program (not including books) is just $4,250, which is far less than you would pay at most colleges and universities. You can pay the entire tuition upfront or pay over six months or even 12 months, depending on your needs. No one can deny that substance abuse, in all of its forms, is a growing problem. Individuals that suffer from substance abuse often suffer from a number of physical problems as well.

Types of Counseling Licensure

This guide to funding options will help you get your degree while keeping costs to a minimum. Addiction and mental health counseling is an opportunity to change lives and strengthen communities. It’s a chance to give back and make a positive difference in the world, one person at a time. When you see someone you’ve counseled who has made it to recovery and turned their lives around, the sense of fulfillment is truly incredible. In January 2020, there were more than 14,000 specialized substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States providing counseling, behavioral substance abuse counseling therapy, medication, case management and other types of care. Substance abuse professionals who have earned a master’s degree, have professional and field experience, and have earned specialized accreditation or certification have the best job prospects in this field.

Keep costs in check without having to relocate to the school you want to attend.

Demand will only increase for qualified and passionate workers in substance abuse and addiction counseling in the next 10 years. It explains what they do, the degree and certifications needed, and potential salaries. The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School offers master’s programs in addiction counseling both on-campus and online. As an accredited institution of higher learning, our integrated addiction counseling programs include coursework in mental health and co-occurring disorders. And as mental and behavioral health awareness continues to grow, along with access to treatment, so does the demand for qualified substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors. In most cases, they will hold the same license as a professional counselor or substance abuse counselor.

• This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
• My advice is to identify 2-3 theories that are of interest to you and “try on” each theory.
• Prisons, probation and parole agencies, detox centers, halfway houses, and juvenile detention facilities are also common work environments for substance abuse counselors.
• Some states only require a bachelor’s degree in psychology or social work to become an addiction counselor, but a master’s degree can help you maximize your earnings and find more career opportunities.
• First, check your state licensing requirements then follow the tips below to launch your counseling career.
• This certification is recognized across the United States and is often required by employers in the substance abuse counseling field.

Other Counseling Career Profiles

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earned an average annual wage of $53,490 in the U.S. as of 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These types of counselors’ median annual wages, according to the BLS, range from $59,790 in California to $49,480 in Pennsylvania, two of the states with the greatest employment levels in this profession. It should be noted that counselors possessing graduate degrees often report earning more money than those who lack such degrees. Experience, education, and credentials factor into differences seen in substance abuse and mental health counseling salaries. The highest 10% of professionals pursuing substance abuse counseling careers made a median annual salary of $78,700, as listed in the table below.

For instance, these addictive chemicals can shatter a person’s spirit in addition to harming their physical health. Megan Pietrucha, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical and sports psychologist in private practice in Illinois. She holds a PsyPact credential, enabling her to practice teletherapy with clients in over 20 states.

It takes a whole team of social workers, counselors, and doctors to develop recovery plans. When needed, counselors must contact other therapists about cases and make referrals, while keeping in compliance with privacy regulations in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Substance abuse and addiction counselors can save lives and impact the drug epidemic that has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic began. A reported 99,543 people died of drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending in September 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared to 67,727 deaths reported at the end of March 2019. To become licensed or certified as an alcohol and drug counselor, you will likely need to pass an exam.

• Addiction counselors work in a variety of professional settings, from community mental health centers to state and federal government agencies.
• This figure reflects the central point of the earnings spectrum, with half of the counselors earning more and half earning less.
• Addiction counselors also counsel friends and relatives of people living with addiction.
• Substance abuse counselors provide alcohol counseling, drug counseling, and counseling for related addictions to their clients.

Addiction counselor certification is one of the more complicated concepts you’ll confront on your way to a career in the field. These guides will show you exactly how your state credentialing process intersects with national certification through IC&RC or NAADAC, as well as the education, training, and experience you need before taking your exams. Currently, 327,500 substance abuse counselors are employed in the United States, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.