How to Become an Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselor

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How to become a substance Abuse Counselor

Never has there been more of a need in the United States for well-educated substance abuse counselors than there is today. Consider as evidence the drug abuse epidemic that continues to plague the nation. Drug overdoses killed 63,632 Americans in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Opioids and other prescription drugs made up 66 percent of those deaths. The CDC also reports that alcohol is implicated in 88,000 deaths each year between 2006 and 2010. Illegal drug death rates continue to increase. The latest reports show cocaine-related deaths were up by 52.4 percent, heroin-related deaths by 19.5 percent and deaths related to psycho-stimulants were up by 33.3 percent.

One quick look at the statistics reveals why there is a huge and growing demand for qualified substance abuse counselors:

Every day, more than 130 people in the U.S. die after overdosing on opioids.
Almost 21 million Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% receive treatment.
Drug overdose deaths have more than tripled since 1990.
From 1999 to 2017, more than 700,000 Americans died from overdosing on a drug.
Alcohol is the cause of 5.3% of worldwide deaths (or 1 in every 20) each year.
Alcohol and drug addiction cost the U.S. economy over $600 billion every year.

Sources: drugabuse.gov, addictioncenter.com

Substance abuse counselors also referred to as addiction counselors, are among the professionals who are on the front lines of the nation’s expanding drug abuse epidemic, working diligently to help mitigate and solve the issue.

These experts offer support, empathy and guidance to people who are attempting to overcome their addictions. Effective substance counselors play a key and necessary role; most addicts have trouble quitting on their own. By providing therapy, education, coaching and overall support, substance abuse and addiction counselors help patients make the daily decision not to use or succumb to their addiction. Counselors also help their patients learn real-world coping skills and adopt new behaviors. The goal is to avoid any relapse from taking place and help patients finally become mentally and physically independent of their substance or addictive behavior.

A report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a well-rounded picture of the substance abuse counseling role. It identified competencies that effective counselors must possess, described many of the day-to-day responsibilities with which they are tasked, and outlined the skills necessary to complete these tasks. The following is a non-exhaustive list, referenced from the SAMHSA, that provides a sampling of the knowledge and responsibilities that substance abuse counselors must master.

1. Knowledge:

Comprehension of how psychoactive substances affect people
In-depth understanding of how people become involved in, and quit, drug use (from initiation and intoxication, through abuse and dependence and the road to recovery)
The symptoms of substance abuse disorders that are similar to those of other medical and/or psychological disorders and how those disorders interact
The methods for differentiating substance use disorders from other medical or psychological disorders
The role of family, social networks and community systems as assets or obstacles in the treatment and recovery process
Where service gaps exist and appropriate ways of advocating for new resources

2. Responsibilities and Skills:

Establish treatment priorities based on all available data
Communicate with clients in an effective manner that is sensitive to cultural and gender issues
Effectively elicit feedback and work creatively
Build lasting partnerships with patients and their support systems
Be able to time, sequence and prioritize tasks related to a patient’s recovery plan
Refer patients to the proper legal authority when necessary

As one might expect based on the deep knowledge and specific skills that are required, the typical process of becoming an addiction counselor requires both rigorous education and accreditation by a state-certified agency.

The Value of a Bachelor’s Degree in Substance Abuse Counseling

One of the first and most important questions for anyone considering a career as a substance abuse counselor is this: Does becoming a substance abuse counselor require a bachelor’s degree?

The short answer is that, when it comes to earning your certification, requirements regarding academic degrees also vary widely by state. For that reason, a great first step is to thoroughly review the requirements for becoming a substance abuse counselor in your home state, as well as in any other states where you may be planning to pursue counseling opportunities.

A bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling is required in some states, but not in others; however, academic training will be immensely helpful no matter where you live, since some states that do not require a BS do allow your bachelor’s degree to count against work experience requirements for licensure. This could potentially lessen your work experience requirement by 2,000 hours, the equivalent of a full-time year.

A bachelor’s degree can also be an asset from the standpoint of helping you acquire needed work experience. Some states and some employers will require practicums or internships, which are offered in many university substance abuse counseling programs. Your academic experience will also be helpful in terms of helping you make connections in the field and developing a clear understanding of what types of counseling roles you are most interested in.

Substance Abuse Counseling Certification Requirements

The state-by-state certification process does have some commonalities. Specialized training and work experience are typically required. You must also pass an examination.

Certification agencies in many states are members of the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC) or the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Through its certification arm — the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCC AP) — NAADAC offers ascending three levels of certification.

National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level I (NCAC I)

Key requirements:

High school diploma GED or higher
Current credential or license as a counselor issued by a state or credentialing authority
3 years full-time or 6,000 hours of supervised experience as a counselor
270 contact hours of education and training

National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level II (NCAC II)

Key requirements:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Current credential or license as a counselor issued by a state or credentialing authority
5 years full-time or 10,000 hours of supervised experience as a counselor
450 contact hours of education and training

Master Addiction Counselor (MAC)

Key requirements:

Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
Current credential or license as a counselor issued by a state or credentialing authority
3 years full-time or 6,000 hours of supervised experience as a counselor
500 contact hours of education and training

Other certification bodies include the International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium, which administers six reciprocal credentials:

Substance Abuse Counselor Salary & Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for “substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors” is $44,630.

Due to the widespread nature of substance abuse — cutting across all demographics — the BLS forecasts that job growth is on track to expand by 23% (2016–2026), much faster than for other occupations.

U.S. News & World Report ranks Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor as #50 on its list of 100 Best Jobs and #4 in the Social Services category.

A recent search of Linkedin.com revealed nearly 3,000 substance abuse counselor jobs and a similar search at employment website Indeed.com returned listings for nearly 10,000 substance abuse counselor positions, including 1,600+ paying over $60,000.

In terms of the career outlook, a sampling of potential job titles for current and aspiring substance abuse counseling professionals includes:

Addiction specialist
Chemical dependency practitioner
Community services worker
Corrections officer
Guidance counselor
Intervention specialist
Mental health professional
Parole officer
Probation officer
Social worker
Substance abuse counselor
Substance abuse prevention specialist
And more

Bachelor’s degree graduates are also well prepared to continue their studies in advanced degree programs such as mental health counseling, social work, psychology and criminal justice. And those interested in moving on to earn their master’s degree in substance abuse counseling will be well-positioned to earn higher salaries in specialized roles or in private practice.

List of Steps to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

As previously discussed, there is no one pathway to becoming a substance abuse counselor, with each state administering its own system for certification and licensure, often in collaboration with national certification bodies.

Thoroughly review your state’s certification requirements.
Position yourself to meet your state’s educational requirements.
Position yourself to meet your state’s requirements for work experience.
Pass your state’s licensing examination.
Be prepared to pass a drug test and background check.
Identify and apply for substance abuse counseling jobs that appear to be a good fit.

Benefits of Earning Your Substance Abuse Counseling Degree Online

Online degree programs are an excellent option for working substance abuse counselors and full-time students alike. For example, the University of Cincinnati offers an academically rigorous Bachelor of Science in Substance Abuse Counseling degree program, ranked #7 for online Substance Abuse Counseling programs, that enables you to pace your studies while balancing the demands at home and at work.

The program is also transfer-friendly, meaning that you may be able to transfer credits from previous coursework. With summer, fall and spring start dates available, it’s easy to begin earning your degree right away.

The University of Cincinnati offers a 100% online Substance Abuse Counseling degree. The program prepares students for a rewarding career in a high-demand profession in as little as two years. And, the University of Cincinnati’s bachelor’s degree in Substance Abuse Counseling is ranked #4 as the Best Online Addictions Counseling Bachelor’s Degrees on bestcolleges.com.