Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors in Mental Health
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors help people who struggle with addictions and harmful behaviors, such as alcohol or drug abuse, smoking, gambling, or eating disorders. They interview clients, review medical and legal records, and work with doctors, nurses, and social workers to design detailed treatment plans, lead individual and group counseling sessions, and adjust those plans as clients’ needs change. They also keep precise records, train new staff or interns, meet with families to teach them how to support their loved ones, and help create community prevention and education programs that reduce addiction before it starts.
Did you know?
Most states require specific education, supervised clinical experience, and passing a licensing exam to practice as a substance abuse counselor.
At a glance
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Speaking
Things to consider
Emotional Demands and Burnout Risk
Working with individuals struggling with addiction can be emotionally challenging and lead to high rates of professional burnout.
Growing Job Market Demand
The field is experiencing significant growth due to increased awareness of addiction issues and expanded access to treatment services.
Key responsibilities
Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.
Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.