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Over 20 million Americans are classified with alcohol and drug dependency each year. With more than nine percent of the population seeking counseling and/or treatment for substance abuse, the demand for substance abuse counselors remains high. Substance abuse counseling, also called behavioral disorder counseling is arguably the most challenging career choice for mental health counselors. People suffering from drug and alcohol problems are likely to have other behavioral or mental health issues, and the likelihood of relapse during a person's lifelong treatment is a harsh reality. Nevertheless, a substance abuse counselor career can be rewarding, and jobs for are available in many areas: - Half-way houses
- Homeless shelters
- Hospitals
- In/out patient therapy (individual or group)
- Jails and prisons
- Drug and alcohol treatment centers
- Social welfare agencies
- State and community departments
 Substance Abuse Counselors Work With Youth Because the highest percentage of growth in substance abusers is in young adults and teenagers, there is also a great need for substance abuse counselors in high schools and colleges. Not only are counselors called upon to treat people in recovery, they also work to prevent drug and alcohol abuse at an early age and educate parents on how to get involved in their children's exposure to drugs and alcohol. Substance Abuse Counselor Salary There were 76,000 substance abuse counseling jobs in 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Median range salaries for substance abuse counselors were $28,480 to $45,010 per year. The demand is expected to remain high as drug offenders are more often sent for rehabilitation rather than jail. Substance Abuse Counselor Degrees Although you can begin working in a social service setting with a bachelor's degree, a master's degree is required to become a licensed substance abuse counselor in most states. You can receive an MA, MS or MSW, then specialize in substance abuse counseling either during your program (if available), or by receiving a certification after graduation. In any case, most counselors graduate with an MA in counseling psychology and receive certifications in their specialty fields after graduation. Check your state's licensing requirements for counselors.  |
