Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

/ Career Discovery, Master's Degree, Social (Helpers)

Career Overview

Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.

Also Known As

  • Addictions Counselor
  • Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor)
  • Counselor
  • Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)

Alternate Job Titles

  • Addiction Counselor
  • Addiction Recovery Specialist
  • Addiction Therapist
  • Addictions Counselor
  • Alcohol and Drug Counselor
  • Alcoholic Counselor
  • Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor
  • Assessment Specialist
  • Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech)
  • Behavior Therapist
  • Behavioral Analyst
  • Behavioral Clinician
  • Behavioral Specialist
  • Behavioral Technician
  • Behavioral Therapist

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
  • Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
  • Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
  • Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Therapy and Counseling
  • Psychology
  • Education and Training
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Administrative

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Speaking
  3. Critical Thinking
  4. Social Perceptiveness
  5. Reading Comprehension
  6. Writing
  7. Monitoring
  8. Persuasion
  9. Service Orientation
  10. Judgment and Decision Making

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Speech Clarity
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Oral Expression
  • Written Comprehension
  • Inductive Reasoning
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Expression
  • Speech Recognition
  • Information Ordering

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Empathy
  • Sincerity
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Social Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Relationships
  • Achievement
  • Recognition
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Master's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Tools & Equipment

  • Breathalyzers
  • Desktop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA

Work Environment

  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Contact With Others
  • Telephone Conversations
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

Is This Career Right for You?

Discover your perfect career match with our free comprehensive assessment! Get personalized recommendations based on your interests, skills, and values.

Take the Free Career Assessment →

Want Personalized Guidance?

For customized career recommendations, college selection strategies, and expert application support, explore the MehtA+ Admissions Consulting Program. We help students identify the right opportunities and navigate the path to achieving their academic and career goals.

Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

Shopping Cart