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)

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Chaplain; Clinical Psychologist; Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist; Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist; Clinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist; Mental Health Nurse; Mental Health Service; Mental Health Service Craftsman; Mental Health Service Journeyman; Mental Health Service Superintendent
Behavioral Health Specialist; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Command and Unit Chaplain; Medical Service Corps Officer; Nurse Corps Officer; Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse; Social Work
No similar titles were found.
Correctional Counselor; Substance Abuse Control Officer; Substance Abuse Control Specialist
Behavioral Health Technician; Chaplain; Chaplain Specialist; Clinical Social Worker; Correctional Counselor; Drug and Alcohol Counselor; Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern; Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor; Navy Primary Prevention (PP) and Human Factors Process (HFP) Advanced Professional Development Train the Trainer Certification; Supervisory Chaplain
No similar titles were found.
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:

Find Training
Find Licenses
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

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