How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
A substance abuse counselor works with those struggling with addiction, using methods such as the 12-step program to guide them towards recovery. They may also collaborate with family and friends of these individuals in an effort to better their situations.
Substance abuse counseling has been practiced since 1750, when Native American tribes first created abstinence-based movements and practices to combat alcoholism. Nowadays, drug and alcohol misuse has become a national health crisis with devastating repercussions for society as a whole.
The most desirable path towards becoming an addiction counselor is earning either a master’s or doctorate degree in the field. Employers typically seek out counselors with either a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and several years of supervised clinical experience.
Becoming a drug and alcohol counselor necessitates an intense passion for helping others, along with compassion and patience. Although the job can be demanding at times, and lead to burnout, the rewards of helping those struggling with addiction overcome their addiction are worth all the hardships.
The licensing requirements for substance abuse counselors differ by state, but typically you need a master’s degree and at least 2,000 hours of supervised clinical experience in order to begin practicing as one. For more information about the process, you can check with your state’s regulating board and National Board for Certified Counselors.
