Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Also Called: Case Manager, Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor), Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)

Doctoral Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$36,700

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors do

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.

  • 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.
  • Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.
Industry Areas:

Health Care

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Contact With Others
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Freedom to Make Decisions

Tools

  • Notebook computers
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Alcohol analysers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers

Technology

Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Medical software
Athena Software Penelope Case Management
Varian Medical Systems

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension

Knowledge

Math and Science
psychology
sociology and anthropology
Health
therapy and counseling
Business
customer service
administrative services
Arts and Humanities
English language

Education

  • 30% Master's degree
  • 19% Bachelor's degree
  • 16% Professional degree

Experience

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.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Psychiatric Technicians

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Dental Assistants

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

Education & Childcare Administrators, Preschool & Daycare

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors Currently Selected

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Aaniiih Nakoda College

    Harlem, MT

  • Abilene Christian University

    Abilene, TX

Apprenticeships

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Artistic (Creator)
    • Investigative (Thinker)
    • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Self Control

Values

  • Relationships
  • Achievement
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Attention

This is what Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors across the country typically make.

$17.65 / hour
$36,700 /year

Entry Level

$25.82 / hour
$53,710 /year

Median Level

$43.23 / hour
$89,920 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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