Addiction comes in many forms. If left untreated, it can destroy individuals’ lives in numerous ways, from their health to their relationships. It can also cause significant damage in the lives of others. Sadly, addiction remains a persistent problem.
Data on illicit drug use paints a particularly dire picture of addiction. According to a 2020 report from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 37.3 million Americans aged 12 years and older are current illegal drug users (used within the last 30 days), and 59.2 million people 12 and older — more than 1 in 5 individuals in that age range — have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the past year. The report also states that roughly 700,000 individuals have died from drug overdoses since 2000.
The road to recovery from addiction can be difficult. It often requires guidance and support, which is why addiction counselors can play such a vital role in helping people cope with addiction concerns and live happier, healthier lives. These professionals use the knowledge and skills gained to guide people toward recovery on their own terms and timeline. For those interested in using counseling to make a life-changing impact, learning how to become an addiction counselor can be the first step on their career path.
Addiction Counselor Job Description
Addiction counselors evaluate their patients to explore the root causes of their addictions and help them identify the feelings surrounding these causes and the triggers that facilitate their addictive behaviors. They then assist these patients in developing positive behaviors and skills that will allow them to cope with situations in a healthy manner that avoids triggers. They also help people with addiction develop long-term strategies to avoid problematic behaviors.
While the tasks and responsibilities listed in the typical addiction counselor job description focus on helping clients move toward recovery, there’s no single method to achieve that goal. Addiction counselors deploy different types of therapeutic strategies in their treatment, based on the individual patient’s needs. Common strategies include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Examines the correlation between an individual’s thoughts and behaviors to identify the triggers behind addictive behavior
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on curbing the behaviors that lead to the addictive activity by replacing them with positive, healthier habits
- Motivational Interviewing: Sets prompts that can be utilized as goals associated with abstaining from addictive behaviors, such as being able to return to work or love of family members
- Mindfulness Therapy: Teaches individuals to pay attention to what’s happening in the present moment, internally and externally, to control stress responses to triggers that may induce addictive behaviors
Addiction counseling can take place in either of two environments. Inpatient rehabilitation means patients stay in residential facilities for a fixed amount of time, usually 28 days to six months. Outpatient rehabilitation means patients live in their own homes but attend treatment sessions at a facility during the day. Some counselors specialize in treating individuals in a specific population, such as veterans, people with disabilities or individuals with court-ordered treatment.
Addiction counselors may work one on one with individuals, couples or families, or in groups. Couples and family therapy involve helping reestablish connections damaged in the course of a patient’s addiction, such as disruptions in the family dynamic or in the patient’s professional life. In group therapy, counselors meet with multiple patients with common concerns to help them gain new insights by sharing and exchanging stories with others.
Types of Addiction
Addiction counselors treat individuals who suffer from one of two types of addiction.
- Chemical addiction refers to abuse of a substance like alcohol or an illicit drug.
- Behavioral addiction refers to persistent, repetitive behaviors that interfere with an individual’s control, responsibilities or interest in other activities.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), produced by the American Psychological Association (APA), recognizes gambling and internet gaming as behaviors that can become addictive. However, many health care providers also consider additional behaviors as potentially addictive, including eating, sex and work.
Addiction takes many forms, and the damage it can do, both directly to the addict and peripherally to others’ lives, can be devastating. Fortunately, treatment for all addictive conditions is possible. Addiction counselors can play an essential role in this process.
Steps to Become an Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors can play a critical role in helping a person break away from the bonds of addiction. Because of the specialized nature of the role, becoming an addiction counselor requires taking certain steps. Other careers with a master’s in counseling require similar steps, although they involve different knowledge and fieldwork.
Step 1. Earn a Degree
Most addiction counselor roles require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. However, earning an advanced degree such as a Master of Arts in Counseling enables counselors to offer a wider range of services to their clients, including one-on-one counseling in private practice. Earning a master’s degree can also allow addiction counselors to conduct their services with less supervision, although they still typically work with other therapy, health care or social work professionals to build a comprehensive treatment strategy.
Step 2. Become Licensed
Addiction counselors who intend to operate in private practice must be licensed by the state in which they practice. While the specific requirements vary by state, all states require private practice counselors to hold a master’s degree and accumulate 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Additionally, they must pass a state-specific exam and complete continuing education requirements on an annual basis. Precise state requirements can be found at the National Board for Certified Counselors site.
Addiction counselors not in private practice have different licensure requirements. While they may not need an advanced degree, they may still be required to complete a state-specific exam.
Step 3. Gain Experience
Experience in a supervised setting is an important part of becoming an addiction counselor. Supervised clinical hours often begin with an internship or practicum as part of an undergraduate or graduate program. Individuals can also work toward earning hours in any of a wide range of field settings, such as at a substance abuse facility, hospital or prison, or through a government agency.
Key Skills for an Addiction Counselor Career
Because of the intimate nature of addiction issues, the most successful addiction counselors have strong interpersonal skills. The ability to professionally relate to and interact with someone dealing with addiction in a way that exudes compassion and empathy is essential to building trust within the treatment dynamic. This trust can enable the individual to open up about the root causes of their addiction more readily, which can facilitate developing effective treatment strategies.
Building this level of trust takes time, which means addiction counselors must have a high degree of patience. At the outset of the treatment, a patient may be distressed, angry or even hostile. Trying to rush past these emotions can cause a person to lean on them more intensely, making it more difficult to reach the issues’ roots.
Listening and speaking skills are also key to a successful addiction counselor career, because they help develop trust with patients. By giving a patient their full, undivided attention, not only can an addiction counselor come to fully understand what may have caused the addiction, but they can also pick up on the patient’s nuanced values or beliefs that may impact a specific treatment strategy. Likewise, being able to communicate these strategies and other key information clearly and plainly can help the patient understand the exact process of the treatment strategy without ambiguity or misinterpretation. This heightened understanding can lead to more effective treatment.
Addiction Counselor Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes addiction counselors in the substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors classification. The BLS reports that the 2021 median annual salary for this group was $48,520, with the highest paid 10% earning more than $77,980.
A number of factors can influence an addiction counselor’s salary, including education level, experience, and location.
Make a Positive Impact in People’s Lives
Overcoming addiction can be one of the most significant actions a person takes. Understanding how to become an addiction counselor is the first step toward helping people improve their health and well-being and making a positive impact on the lives of an individual’s family, friends, co-workers and community.
While achieving this professional goal involves many steps, they are well worth taking. The University of North Dakota’s online Master of Arts in Counseling program and the Addiction Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling tracks can help individuals learn the knowledge and skills needed to provide this crucial level of treatment to those in need. Find out how UND can help you develop your ability to serve.
Recommended Reading:
Webinar: Counseling Application Tips & Admission Requirements
Webinar: Online Graduate Counseling Programs Overview
What Can I Do with a Master’s in Counseling?
Sources:
Addiction Center, Addiction Counselors
Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network, About the ATTC Network
American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
American Psychological Association, “Substance Use During the Pandemic”
Healthline, “Types of Addiction and How They’re Treated”
National Board for Certified Counselors, State Licensure
National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, Drug Abuse Statistics
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
VeryWell Mind, “Mindfulness Therapy as an Addiction Treatment”