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Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Careers / Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Addiction Therapist

2.	Addictions Counselor

3.	Alcohol and Drug Counselor

4.	Alcoholic Counselor

5.	Assessment Specialist

6.	Behavior Therapist

7.	Behavioral Analyst

8.	Behavioral Specialist

9.	Behavioral Therapist

10.	Case Manager

11.	Certified Abuse and Drug Addiction Counselor

12.	Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADAC)

13.	Certified Alcohol Counselor

14.	Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor (CADC)

15.	Certified Drug Counselor

16.	Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

17.	Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor)

18.	Chemical Dependency Professional

19.	Clinical Counselor

20.	Clinician

21.	Correctional Substance Abuse Counselor

22.	Counselor

23.	Direct Care Counselor

24.	Domestic Violence Advocate

25.	Domestic Violence Counselor

26.	Drug Abuse Counselor

27.	Drug Abuse Technician

28.	Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS)

29.	Drug or Alcohol Abuse Human Relations Counselor

30.	Group Counselor

31.	Group Home Counselor

32.	Licensed Clinician

33.	Licensed Social Worker

34.	Prevention Specialist

35.	Primary Substance Abuse Counselor

36.	Primary Therapist

37.	Psychotherapist

38.	Quitline Counselor

39.	Residential Substance Abuse Counselor

40.	Student Assistance Counselor (SAC)

41.	Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)

42.	Substance Abuse Technician

43.	Treatment Coordinator

Job Tasks

	Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information. Write reports or evaluations. Maintain client records.

	Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes. Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.

	Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program. Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress. Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.

	Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories. Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.

	Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans. Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.

	Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients.

	Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers. Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.

	Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status. Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.

	Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills. Maintain professional social services knowledge.

	Participate in case conferences or staff meetings. Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.

	Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.

	Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary. Present social services program information to the public. Refer clients to community or social service programs.

	Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies. Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.

	Train or supervise student interns or new staff members. Train staff members in social services skills. Supervise workers providing client or patient services.

	Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients. Supervise workers providing client or patient services.

	Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff. Advocate for individual or community needs.

	Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs. Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.

	Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples. Administer drug screening tests.

	Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions. Train staff members in social services skills.

	Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients. Counsel family members of clients or patients.

	Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments. Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.

	Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress. Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress.

	Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities. Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs. Plan programs to address community health issues. Collaborate with other professionals to develop education or assistance programs.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors advise people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems. They provide treatment and support to help the client recover from addiction or modify problem behaviors.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
	Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors work in a wide variety of settings, such as mental health centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice. Most work full time.

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