Substance Abuse Counselor : Expectations in Becoming One
The job description of a Substance abuse counselor can be really daunting and sometimes, intimidating. They spend most of their working hours treating, counseling, rehabilitating and providing support services to drug or alcohol dependent patients.
They can be either a degree or non-degree holder, but should be knowledgeable in fields like: Sociology, Psychology or anything which may help learn about the physical and mental effects of addiction.
The work of a Substance abuse counselor revolves around:
- a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services for drug or alcohol dependent patients.
- working in hospitals, correctional institutions or therapeutic communities treating
- tasks to assess and recommend treatment for offenders. The results are then given to their parole or probation officers which will be used to assess the patient’s condition.
- treating patients on an individual basis or in a group setting.
- stressful and sometimes potentially dangerous job because Substance abuse counselor are exposed to different diseases.
However, there is a deep satisfaction in seeing patients kicking the habit and rebuilding their lives. The bond formed between counselor-patient throughout the crisis can be so strong that it lasts after the treatment is over.
Substance Abuse Counselor Job Description
A Substance abuse counselor can be a really demanding job, a typical Substance abuse counselor should be any – if not all of the following:
- have at least two year associate programs or even a college degree.
- while studying, students who are interested in pursuing a career as a Substance abuse counselor study courses like Sociology, Psychology or anything which may help learn about the physical and mental effects of addiction.
- It is also best if students can are knowledgeable in areas like: program evaluation, basic counseling skills, research group counseling, family counseling, crisis intervention, drugs and society, substance abuse counseling, counseling theory ,writing for case management and records management.
How much are Substance Abuse Counselor Programs Tuition?
Tuition fee varies state to state but the course offered in the California state by the Center for Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) will cost students an estimate total of $ 3,295.00
including tuition fee and textbooks. The Substance Abuse Counselor Program consists of 22 units and classes are done in-class or online.
What to expect with the courses?
Courses are accredited by the CAADAC’s Commission of Alcohol and Drug Counselors Education Programs. A career of a Substance abuse counselor may not go very well as planned, it is daunting as well for some prospective counselors to set foot in such industries. Most of the time, having initiative is necessary. Being an intern first can help you assess for your self if you have what it takes to become a Substance abuse counselor and experience personally how local counselors do their job. Although, it is important to know that some centers do not allow strangers in their facilities for the security and privacy of their patients.
An additional internship of 255 hours in the 12 core functions is also required to finish the course. The usual state of requirement of 160 hours was expanded to 255 hours in order to accommodate all board requirements regardless of the certifying body.
Certification is also necessary for the credibility of the industry. A certified Substance abuse counselor can expect earning around mid-$20,000 to low $30,000 per year. Although, salaries may vaty due to location, education and experience as well.
The typical certification required by the Florida Board for Addiction Professionals comprises of the following:
- For Certified Associate Addiction Professional – 1 (CAAP-1)
- there is no requirement for any academic degree but it is mandatory that the prospective applicants have logged in working hours of 2,000 and 150 schooling hours including courses in counseling, ethics, and addictions.
- Passing the board’s written examination is also a requirement.
- If a Substance abuse counselor dreams of being certified for the CAAP-2 level, it is necessary that the applicant
- must have a high school diploma or have completed an associate degree.
- Degree holders must also logged a total of 4,000 work hours within the last seven years and 270 hours of education.
- High school diploma holders must have 6,000 hours work credit in the last ten years and 270 schooling hours.
- Passing the board’s written examination is also a requirement for both of the applicants.
- The highest level of certification for Substance abuse counselors in the Florida state is called the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP). With this certification, it is a requirement that the Substance abuse counselor have
- logged at least 6,000 hours of work experience within the past ten years, 300 hours of direct supervision and 300 hours of schooling.
- Applicants should also have a degree in any field and continuing education is a requirement every year for renewal of the certification.
- Passing the board’s written examination is also a requirement.
Such trainings are required for the benefit of the patients in custody. Effective treatment is imperative in order to end abuse, avoiding relapse and successfully recovering their lives. Also, treatment in a criminal justice setting can also prevent an offender’s return to their criminal ways. Especially when they returned back to the community, where patients experience discrimination and have difficulty assimilating back to the society. Indeed, the Substance abuse counselor must possess fervent determination to help others and should be able to inspire respect, trust and confidence.
Bibliography :
http://www.princetonreview.com/ – A Day in the life of a Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary: How Much to Expect?
A person who wants to be a substance abuse counselor should not only be concerned about the substance abuse counselor salary. A substance abuse counselor works with individuals who seek treatment for different types of addictions such as alcohol abuse and drug abuse. He may speak with the problematic person or stage interventions. He may also work in various environments such as residential facilities. Nonetheless, he may also work with outpatients and conduct meetings in community outreach centers and churches.
The main goal of a substance abuse counselor is to help his clients recognize and overcome their harmful behaviors. Aside from providing crisis-counseling sessions, he may also refer his clients to agencies that can provide assistance in other areas. There may be different requirements for becoming a substance abuse counselor in different states; but one thing is for sure, anyone who wishes to join this field should obtain a substance abuse counselor certification.
If you want to become a substance abuse counselor, you should have a master’s degree in psychology or any other related field. You may also need to complete a certain amount of coursework for you to have an experience. Due to the possibility that each state might have a different requirement, you should see to it that you contact the right people to find out about these requirements.
Moreover, even though being a substance abuse counselor is rewarding and fulfilling, you should realize that there are also downsides to this job. You will feel satisfied when you see a patient improve his habits and start living a new life, but patients who are very needy may also stress you. As a counselor, you should be prepared to see some clients go to jail, go back to addition, or even die. You should also be emotionally prepared and understanding as you become exposed to the various situations that lead your clients to addiction.
When it comes to the substance abuse counselor salary, you can expect an average amount of $63,000.
Your pay will — of course, vary depending on your level of experience, place of employment, and area of specialization. Addiction therapists typically earn around $62,000 while chemical dependency specialists receive about $59,000. Crisis counselors usually get $35,000; family services specialists typically earn around $38,000; and probation counselors get $44,000. Those who are into medication management can expect around $147,000 while those in the adolescent substance abuse category can expect around $70,000.
The substance abuse counselor salary for those who have been in the field for one to four years is usually $35,000 to $42,000 per year while those who have been in the field for five to twenty years can expect $44,000 to $62,000 per year. The location is another basis for the salary amount. Those who work in hospitals have the highest substance abuse counselor salary. This can be anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000 per year. On the other hand, those who work for government-related and non-profit organizations receive a lower substance abuse counselor salary of only $32,000 to $45,000 per year.
Credits to Indeed.com for the national salary trend.What is a Substance Abuse Counselor
<strong>Drug abuse is on the rise in many countries and millions of drug addicts do not know whom to turn to. Fortunately, there are a few people who are willing to help. Meet the substance abuse counselors.
The job of is very demanding because when he or she reaches out to the community, the job itself requires tons of patience, compassion and a keen desire to help those who are in crisis.They will work on clients to help them curb their addiction to marijuana, methamphetamine, alcohol or any other potentially lethal substance. Other problems like gambling and sex addictions are dealt as well.
The substance abuse counselor salary ranges from $25,000 – $47,000 annually.
The pay may seem small, but the need for such a person is great.
Many addicts are in need of help in many areas. Often, they are unaware that many kinds of assistance are available, whether they are eligible, or want to find help. A substance abuse counselor refers patients to various services that may help become a platform for which they can fight their drug demons. However, the downside is that counselors can experience gripping depression if the substance abusers they assisted go back to their bad habits and worse than before. Usually, staying vigilant is a requirement for former drug addicts, but many of them backslide horrendously, which is a painful reality for any counselor to swallow.
This is the main reason there are few substance counselor jobs. For those in this profession, they see people in both private and group sessions. Each case is different from another and depends on the personality of the individual. Expecting the unexpected is something that counselors have grown accustomed to. Although they can make referrals, counselors do crisis intervention for would-be substance abusers. Sympathy, a non-judgmental attitude and a compassionate approach are the demands of crisis intervention. No matter how troubled the drug addicts are, a counselor must have the ear to listen.
Many who are drawn to this career have a sense of community and deep religious beliefs about the value of human life. The overwhelming number of setbacks does not deter their commitment of helping others because hope is always a good thing to consider when dealing with addicts. Seeing patients waste away and die is the most difficult thing for counselors to bear with, emotionally. Homelessness, mental illness, and AIDS are an everyday reality, so learning to control negative emotions, such as anger, frustration and bonds of friendship should be paramount among counselors. A numbing thought is that the burn-out rate for this professional is quite high.
Another trouble spot that they have to watch out are the number of addicts that they meet may not want their help. Examples are clients who were ordered by the courts to go into substance abuse counseling, by a social services agency, or by their concerned loved ones. Nevertheless, substance counselors have to be prepared to work with these hostile clients and help them reform just as they would do to their usual clients. Convicted felons may pose a danger, but counselors are usually trained to handle them.
Still, tens-of-millions of people are classified with alcohol or drug dependency each year in many countries. The demand for substance abuse counselors remains very high. Substance abuse counseling is perhaps the most challenging career choice for those who ventured into this field. Landmines include behavioral and mental health issues together with drug addicts relapse is a harsh reality that any counselor must face.
Nevertheless, the job itself can be rewarding for those who persevere. Counselors can be located or available in many places such as half-way houses, homeless shelters, hospitals, In/out patient therapy groups, jails, prisons, Drug and alcoholic treatment centers, social welfare agencies and State and community departments. Nowadays, they are also tasked to help high school, college students and young people caught in the dragnet of drugs. Aside from recovery programs for these people, counselors also work to prevent drug and alcohol addiction at an early age. Moreover, they educate parents on how to get involved with children’s exposure to dangerous drugs and alcohol.
In line with the above, counselors can specialize in Family Counseling, Adolescent Treatment Assessment Services, Criminal Justice, Eating Disorders, Education and Prevention and Compulsive Gambling. They can also undergo training programs that are related to their work, such as basic counseling skills, group counseling, crisis intervention, family counseling, research, records management, ethics and many more courses. They are also required to have licenses or certifications, depending on their state’s laws.
The substance abuse counselor salary may be low, but he or she would have an immeasurable sense of pride if a client or clients were able to stay clean for a considerable period of time. There is a great need for substance counselors and hopefully, many will heed the call.
In the next article we`ll discuss about how to Obtain substance abuse counselor certification.
How to Obtain Substance Abuse Counselor Certification
Substance abuse counselors are an integral part of every community. Substance abuse remains to be the number one health issue in America. All over the world, it is estimated that 140 million people are alcohol dependents and about 50 million people are users of addictive and dangerous drugs. A substance abuse counselor, also called behavioral disorder counselor, undergo substance abuse counselor training to develop an individualized treatment and recovery plan for patients.
Substance abuse counselor requirements
This involves facilitating private and group sessions to assist the patients throughout rehabilitation. Their job is to help identify behaviors leading to addiction and establish healthy coping strategies. Since abuse directly affects the family unit, substance abuse counselors also facilitate family counseling to establish a positive family dynamic and support.
In a community where drug and alcohol abuse has been prevalent among teenagers, substance abuse counselors undergo substance abuse counselor training to educate youth and parents for awareness and prevention.
Though the job of a substance abuse counselor can be very demanding and challenging, its involvement in helping addicts achieve recovery can be very rewarding. With an escalating number of drug and alcohol dependents, the demand for substance abuse counselors has increased with it. In order to qualify for this profession, you must first have the specific substance abuse counselor requirements.
The first on the list of requirements is having the genuine desire to help others. A counselor must have excellent listening skills, communication skills and the patience to help addicts throughout the recovery. A counselor must be physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy to be able to withstand high amounts of stress every day. If you are drawn to the satisfying career of substance abuse counseling, you must first accomplish the other important substance abuse counselor requirements.
Substance abuse counselor training
This ranges from basic awareness to post-graduate studies. Short courses only address harm minimization and basic counseling and intervention. Certificate, diploma, and master’s courses offer more advanced training and studies. Substance abuse counselor requirements involve both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Addiction therapy classes involve physiological actions of alcohol and drugs, chemical dependency counsel techniques, case management, adolescent addiction, relapse prevention, HIV/AIDS risk intervention, chemical dependency and criminal justice system, family dynamics, lifespan and abnormal psychology, and many other related coursework.
Internship is an essential part of the substance abuse counselor training, requiring professional supervised counseling and patient interaction. Through this, the student is able to gain experience in various settings and environments and learn to apply the essential knowledge, skills, and attitude the job entails. This also allows the student to help the community by assuming the roles of substance abuse counselors in areas in need of drug and alcohol counseling services.
Substance abuse counselor certification
To get a certification, one must graduate from an accredited counselor certification program with an excellent substance abuse counselor training. Some certification programs now offer both classroom and online courses. Educational prerequisites and substance abuse counselor requirements vary from state to state; usually requiring at least a high school diploma or a GED. Meeting the substance abuse counselor requirements may be easier through an undergraduate degree, allowing a substitution of 2,000 hours of work experience with a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science.
In addition to that, a bachelor’s degree may also provide a more advanced substance abuse counselor training in highly important topics such as chemical dependency and interviewing skills. Applications to the undergraduate degree programs require a high school transcript and letters of intent and recommendation.
The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification offers national substance abuse counselor certification that may be acquired voluntarily by examination. Each state requirement on substance abuse certification differs in educational prerequisites, hours of supervised internship, hours of work experience, and curriculums. Some states like Florida have three levels of examination. The first level of certification is the Certified Associate Addiction Professional – 1 (CAAP-1), requiring no academic degree. The applicant must have completed 2,000 hours of work experience for the last ten years, 100 hours of supervised internship, and 100 hours of education in treatment planning, counseling, crisis intervention, and other related coursework.
The second level of substance abuse counselor certification is the CAAP-2, requiring either an associate degree or high school diploma. The associate degree requires 4,000 hours of work experience for the last seven years, 150 hours of supervised internship, and 270 hours of coursework. A written exam is needed for both CAAP-1 and CAAP-2.
The third and highest level of substance abuse counselor certification is the Certified Addiction Professional (CAP). This requires a bachelor’s degree of any field, 6,000 hours of work experience for the last ten years, 300 hours of direct supervision, and 300 hours of education. A written and oral exam is needed to be certified, and every year continuing education must be updated for the substance abuse counselor certification renewal.
Substance abuse counselor certification requires commitment and dedication. The requirements must be met in order to maintain highly qualified counselors in the community. The work of helping individuals to achieve a second chance in life and contributing to peace and order in the community remains to be an invaluable, rewarding, and very noble profession.
Substance Abuse Prevention – Helping a Worldwide Campaign
In order to help the campaign of substance abuse prevention, you must first know the real meaning of substance abuse. Substance abuse, or commonly known as drug abuse, can be defined as a process of unhealthy use of any substance for mood-altering intention. Many people thought that substance abuse only focuses on addicting drugs while as a matter of fact, it does not just cover drugs, but inhalants and solvents as well. It also covers tobacco, alcohol and surprisingly, coffee.
Also, for you to have a better understanding in substance abuse prevention programs, you must also know the causes of substance abuse. Child abuse, low self-esteem, depression, poverty, lack of supervision, media influence and peer pressure are just some of the environmental factors that can endanger a child’s awkward age leading to substance abuse. This is why the main focuses of the substance abuse prevention are children and teens because, according to research, they are more curious and more exposed to influences.
The typical signs of substance abuse in teens are tiredness and unexplained health problems in physical appearance, mood swings and carelessness in psychological state, problems with the law and sudden change of personality in social state, breaking rules and withdrawing from family life and lastly, lost of interest and frequent absences in school.
Substance abuse prevention is an action that tries to restrain the onset of substance use or terminate the expansion of problems connected with misusing psychoactive substances. The substance abuse prevention mainly focuses on tobacco, alcohol and marijuana because these three substances are used first and may eventually lead to use of much harmful drugs (“hard” drugs as others call it) like cocaine, heroin, opioids and club drugs such as ecstasy. Inhalants and solvents are also included because they are also abused and potentially addictive even though they are not considered drugs at all.
The campaign for substance abuse prevention may be worldwide but still, every country has its different approach and solutions. In the United States, merchandising and using drugs like marijuana and cocaine is illegal and people who will break the law will go to jail. In the Netherlands, their substance abuse prevention approach is completely different. They believe that “soft” drugs, like marijuana, are less dangerous than the “hard” drugs, like heroin and amphetamines. To encourage people not to aspire hard drugs, the government allows the sale of marijuana but only on small amounts. In China, people who are caught selling drugs are punished based on the amount of drugs they possessed. Some big time drug dealers are even penalized with death penalty or life imprisonment as part of China’s substance abuse prevention campaign.
The difference between use and abuse is vague. It is only the individual himself can conclude where abuse begins. This is why substance abuse prevention became a worldwide campaign that caters protection and rehabilitation. There are community-based and school-based prevention programs that can be of help when it comes to educating children and families about the harmful effects of substance abuse. Teaching the child at an early age reduces the risk of substance abuse. Another substance abuse prevention program is making the user busy and engaged in a certain work such as drawing or painting.
The United Nations and the World Health Organizations are exerting their best efforts for the substance abuse prevention campaign. These organizations advised the users to seek a substance abuse counselor for a quick and better recovery from drug abuse and drug dependency. Group therapy, cognitive therapy and family therapy are just some of the ways to treat substance abuse. In this way, it can lessen the negative effects that may occur in the future, not only physically and emotionally but psychologically as well.
Rehabilitation is not an easy part of a substance user’s life. Better understanding and patience is needed in order for the rehabilitation to be successful. But the most important thing to help the users under the substance abuse prevention program is to handle them as people with an illness and not as a culprit.