Expand mobile version menu
  Skip to main content

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

salary graphic

AVG. SALARY

$57,180

education graphic

EDUCATION

Master's degree

job outlook graphic

JOB OUTLOOK

Increasing

What They Do

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors Career Video

About This Career

Counsels and advises 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.

This career is part of the Human Services cluster Counseling and Mental Health Services pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Completes and maintains accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
  • Counsels clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Assesses individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
  • Follows progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
  • Conducts chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
  • Reviews and evaluates clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • Coordinates activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
  • Develops client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
  • Modifies treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
  • Coordinates counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Addictions Counselor — Helps their clients identify and overcome addictive behaviors and may provide counseling to family members or loved ones who have been affected by addiction.
  • Case Manager — Deals with individuals involved in accident claims to ensure that the individual receives the best possible options.
  • Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor)
  • Chemical Dependency Professional
  • Clinical Counselor
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADAC)
  • Counselor
  • Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS)
  • Prevention Specialist — Designs and implements prevention services, such as alcohol and drug, for schools, community groups, business and industry, parents, local government, the recovery community and private and public agencies and organizations.

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

Support


Powered by XAP

OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.