Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor Job Description

Counselors who work with people who have substance abuse and behavioral disorders work in a lot of places. They can be at mental health clinics, hospitals, schools or programs for the community.

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors (SBDCs) are employed in a variety of facilities that include mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, schools and community-based programs. They may be found doing casework counseling with individuals who have abused or been dependent on alcohol or drugs; conducting groups to educate clients about the dangers of drug abuse; helping families cope with an addicted member; providing consultation to employers regarding the prevention of substance use disorders among employees; and designing curricula for training teachers to recognize at-risk students, spot symptoms and refer them for services.

Counselors in private practice may work independently or as part of a group practice. A master's degree is required for most positions; however, for some positions, a bachelor's degree may suffice if relevant work experience is also present. Licensure or certification by a state agency is usually necessary prior to beginning this career since these professionals are often dealing with addictive substances that have legal restrictions.

Job Duties: The duties of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors depend on the individual's job. Common duties include assessing clients' problems, developing treatment plans and making referrals for additional medical or psychological help as needed.

Working Conditions: Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors work in comfortable office environments with adequate natural light from windows. Although they may spend much of their time helping people cope with addictions, they do not need to be around alcohol or drugs in order to work with clients. They spend a good deal of time sitting and talking with clients and other professionals, but are also required to travel to different sites such as schools, hospitals and treatment centers.

Job Skills: Knowledge of drug abuse psychology is extremely important for these professionals because they must understand addiction and the factors that contribute to it. Excellent communication skills are necessary in order for them to work with clients, families and other professionals to help those with drug problems. They must also possess good organizational skills since they are required to keep detailed records of their work.

Job Growth: The job growth rate for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow by 21 percent through 2026, which is faster than average for all occupations. An aging population and the increasing prevalence of substance abuse will increase the demand for these professionals. Stress on families caused by drug use will also drive job growth.

Statistics on Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Median Pay $47,660 per year $22.91 per hour Typical Entry-Level Education Work Experience in a Related Occupation On-the-job Training Number of Jobs, 2019 Job Outlook, 2019-29 25% (Much faster than average) Employment Change, 2019-29 (bls.gov)
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. (bls.gov)
Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers 19% Individual and family services 16 Hospitals; state, local, and private 10 Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities (bls.gov)
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,590, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,700. (bls.gov)
About this section Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Percent change in employment, projected 2019-29 Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (bls.gov)
Total, all occupations Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 25 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. (bls.gov)
The projected percent change in employment from 2019 to 2029. (bls.gov)
The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent. (bls.gov)

Articles On Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors : Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Detailed career information for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors including salary, job outlook, employment opportunities and career training programs. (campusexplorer.com)

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor Education Requirements and College Majors

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How to Become a Substance About Counselor: Career and Salary Information

There are about 283,000 substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in the US (included in the same group as behavioral disorder and mental health counselors). Substance abuse counselors provide alcohol counseling, drug counseling, and counseling for related addictions. (counselingdegreeguide.org)