If you are looking for a job that is both rewarding and in high demand, substance abuse counselor jobs can fulfill both of these requirements. At Sober College, we can help you take your first steps toward becoming an addiction counselor and the following information can help you decide whether or not this career is a good match for you.
- There Are Many Types Of Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs
If you are interested in a career helping people fight addiction, there are many different opportunities available. In California, taking a job as a Registered Alcohol Drug Technician, or RADT is often the first step. A RADT is an entry-level job and duties include collecting samples (blood, hair, urine, etc.) at patient facilities.
Becoming a RADT is a quick process, and one must only complete a nine-hour orientation course and fill out the RADT application as well as a few other documents. Many people earn their RADT certification and then begin working toward becoming a certified alcohol and drug counselor (CADC).
CADCs provide actual counselor services for their patients/clients, and they handle a wide variety of tasks, including intake and evaluation of new patients, group and family counseling, individual counseling, case management, client education, treatment planning and much more.
CADC is the proper name for substance abuse counselor jobs in California and many other states, however, some states might use a different term for this job such as Alcohol and Drug Counselor (AOC). Despite the name differences, the educational and training requirements tend to be identical.
Once you’ve earned your CADC certification, there are also many specialized credentials to consider earning. For instance, if you are interested in working within the criminal justice system, you might become a CCJP (Certified Criminal Just Professional). Or, perhaps, you would like to become a Prevention Specialist, which is a person that works within the community to prevent drug and alcohol abuse and to help people make healthy choices.
Other options include an Intervention Specialist, which is a person who plans and facilitates intervention to help friends and family coax a loved one into treatment. A Medication Assisted Treatment Specialist (MATS) is a person that helps patients in facilities that provide medication-assisted treatments, such as methadone, disulfiram and other medications.
- Substance Abuse Counselor Education Can Be Completed Quickly
At Sober College, we can provide you with the educational training that you need to become a CADC-I, CADC-II or CADC-III. While some counseling jobs require college degrees, the educational training for a CADC is much faster. Our online program can be completed in just six months, and our self-paced program can be completed in just three months, although students can take up to 18 months to complete the self-paced program.
The educational requirements for all three levels of CADC are identical, all three must complete 315 hours of education approved by your state credentialing board as well as 255 hours of supervised work experience (a field practicum) and CADCs also must earn a passing score on the IC&RC ADC (Alcohol and Drug Counselor) exam. Our curriculum is CCAPP-approved, NAADAC-approved and IC&RC-approved, which means that students from just about every state can use Sober College to complete their educational hours. We also offer IC&RC test prep materials to help you prepare for this ADC exam.
- Work Experience Is Required
Depending on the type of counselor you wish to become, you need to complete your educational coursework, your field practicum and a set number of supervised work hours. These hours are paid work, but you must complete a set amount to earn your credential.
For instance, a CADC-I must complete 3,000 hours of supervised work experience. This number is reduced to 2,080 if you have earned an associate’s degree in behavioral science or an allied mental health profession. Your 255 hours of field practicum will factor into this supervised work experience, and often if you have additional work experience, even volunteer work experiences, these also might count toward your total work experience hours.
- Credentials Must Be Renewed
When it comes to substance abuse counselor jobs, you will always be continuing to learn. Credentials do expire and if you want to keep your credential active, you will need to complete a set amount of continuing education hours.
For instance, in California, CADC certification must be renewed every two years and you will need to show that you completed at least 50 hours of approved continuing education units, including at least six hours in ethics and confidentiality training.
Your state credentialing board typically will list approved sources of continuing education. If you attend workshops or annual conventions for substance abuse professionals, you also might find opportunities to help you earn some continuing education units, but there are many online courses available. There are many interesting courses available to help you fulfill these units, and all are meant to help you grow as a counselor and learn the latest research and treatment approaches.
- Substance Abuse Counselor Salaries Vary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, the 2020 median pay for substance abuse counselor jobs was $47,660 per year, with an average hourly pay of $22.91 per hour. This rate tends to vary based upon your experience level and the credential you have earned. Of course, many employers also might provide benefits such as medical insurance, dental insurance, paid time off, parental leave and various retirement plan options.
The Bureau of Labor also reports that substance abuse counseling is a quickly growing field, one that is growing by about 23% every year, and that is not likely to change in the coming years. The bureau includes all types of substance abuse counselors in their metric, ranging from RADTs up to high-level supervisors with advanced college degrees, although you do not need to have completed any a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree to earn some substance abuse counselor certifications.
- Substance Abuse Counselor Handle Many Tasks
During your training to become a substance abuse counselor, you will learn about the 12 Core Functions of substance abuse counselors. These tasks include screening, intake, orientation, assessment, treatment planning, counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referrals, recordkeeping and consultation with additional professionals.
On any given day, you might be handling all 12 of these tasks or just a few. You might be leading a group therapy session and then making phone calls to speak with doctors that can help a patient with an eating disorder or chronic pain. Then you might spend some time dealing with paperwork, as this will be an integral part of your work routine.
Counselors don’t actually spend all of their time counseling, although connecting with your patients is a big part of the job and good people skills are crucial. During your practicum experience, you will be handling tasks with each of the 12 Core Functions so that you can get a solid idea of how to handle each function and its importance in the process of a successful recovery plan.
- Substance Abuse Counselor Jobs Occur In Many Settings
Addiction counselors are needed at many types of facilities. Outpatient and residential treatment facilities are common job sites, but hospitals also employ full-time addiction specialists to help with patient care. Family services programs and government offices also often hire substance abuse counselors as well as prevention specialists. In some cases, you might work within the criminal justice system to help inmates or paroles manage their recovery.
Get Started Today!
Substance abuse counselor jobs can be rewarding careers where you truly make an impact on people’s lives and Sober College can help you get started in this new career. We offer rolling admissions for our online substance abuse counselor certification training program, so you can get started at any time. To learn more, head to our homepage and click on the Counselor Training tab to learn more about our comprehensive educational program.
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