Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors

client patient progress social interests information substance abuse professional family member individual problem

Addictions Counselor, Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor), Counselor, Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)

What they 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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.
  • Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.

Knowledge

Health

  • therapy and counseling
  • medicine and dentistry

Math and Science

  • psychology
  • sociology and anthropology

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • looking for ways to help people

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Social Orientation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Medical software

  • Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR
  • Varian Medical Systems

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.