How Can I Become A Substance Abuse Counselor In 2024? Education, Salary, Licenses.

Substance abuse is becoming so inherent in our world that the importance of counselors is non-negotiable. While many people become addicted to substances as a response to unhealthy events, others lack awareness and counsel.

Peradventure, you get unfortunate when you see substance addicts, and it is wise to re-direct this emotion to help them. A practical way to do that is to become a substance abuse counselor.

Hence, this article will guide you and give you all the information on becoming a substance abuse counselor. If you read further, you will discover in detail the job of a substance counselor, the career paths available for you to tow, and how much you may earn. To get an overview of all subtopics discussed extensively in this article, quickly glance through the table of content.

Finding effective treatment for and prevention of substance abuse and dependence has been difficult. Studies show drug education and prevention for children and adolescents offer the best chance to curb substance abuse globally. Read on and discover what substance abuse is, its effects, and how to prevent it.

What is Substance Abuse?

World health organizations define Substances as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs.

Substance abuse is when you take illegal drugs(not prescribed by a doctor or bought at a drugstore) such as heroin, cocaine, LSD, mescaline, PCP, methamphetamine, psilocybin, and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). It’s also when you use alcohol, prescription medicine, and other legal substances too much or incorrectly.

Similarly, The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.

Addiction is the most severe form of substance use disorder and is a medical illness caused by repeated misuse of a substance or substances. 

Who is a Substance abuse counselor?

A substance abuse counselor is mental health personnel who specializes in treating patients with a chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol. A substance abuse counselor works with their client to help them overcome dependencies and become self-sufficient. 

The role of a Substance abuse counselor is to provide emotional support for people going through a treatment program. They conduct one-on-one therapy sessions to get to the root of the addiction. Administer periodic drug tests.

What Are the Risk Factors of Substance Abuse?

Environmental and Family history influences a child’s early development and is related to an increased risk of drug abuse, including the following:

In addition, the more risk factors present, the greater the chance that an individual will develop the disease.

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What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Substance Abuse?

Some of the more common signs and symptoms of drug use are listed below according to the specified drugs. It is important to note that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean someone is using drugs. However, they could result from mental or physical health problems and other adolescent development changes. 

Alcohol

Clumsiness, difficulty walking, slurred speech, sleepiness, poor judgment, and dilated pupils.

Cocaine

Hyperactivity, euphoria, irritability, anxiety, excessive talking followed by depression or excessive sleeping at odd times, long periods without eating or sleeping, dilated pupils, weight loss, dry mouth, and nose.

Marijuana

Glassy, red eyes, loud talking, inappropriate laughter followed by sleepiness, a sweet burnt scent, loss of interest, motivation, and weight gain or loss.

Heroin

Needle marks, sleeping at unusual times, sweating, vomiting, coughing, twitching, loss of appetite, and contracted pupils

Some of the general symptoms of illegal drug use include:

• Paranoia
• Declining grades
• Aggressiveness and irritability
• A significant change in mood or behavior
• Forgetfulness
• Disappearing money or valuables
• Inability to sleep
• Loss of appetite
• Cold, sweaty palms
• shaking hands.
• Red, watery eyes
• Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothes.
• Extreme hyperactivity
• Feeling run down
• Sounding selfish and not caring about others
• Use of room deodorizers and incense
• Unexplained need for money, stealing money or items
• Possession of a false ID card
• Missing prescription pills
• Complaints of a sore jaw 

How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor

Obtaining a counseling or clinical psychology degree is the first step to becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor. However, most states have some form of counselor licensing that governs mental health counseling practice.

Counselors looking to specialize in family therapy may be required to obtain a Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) credentials and the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) credential.

Mental health counselors may also elect to be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors(NBCC). This credential is widely recognized nationwide and may be required by some employers. The following are steps on how to become a professional Substance counselor.

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in various majors as a prerequisite if you are choosing to take the next step to apply for a Master’s Degree.
A bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling prepares prospective counselors with fundamental skills and knowledge associated with this field and qualifies these individuals for higher positions and salaries.

Get a Master’s Degree in Counseling

A master’s degree in addiction studies from a CACREP-accredited program is the best educational program for those looking to become a substance abuse counselor because of the increased career opportunities.
Looking at several schools before understanding what each program entails may be a good idea. Ensure the program will further set you up to meet all the exam and state requirements for your state.

Associate’s Degree

Some states require only an associate’s degree in psychology or counseling. A two-year degree covers treating patients and working as an addiction treatment counselor.

Choose Your Counseling Specialty

There are a variety of approaches to becoming a substance and addiction abuse specialist, and that depends on your focus. It could be in a government office, private practice, healthcare institution, etc.
Each state often has different exams; some states require certification through The National Counselor Exam(NCE) to become a Licensed Addiction and Substance Abuse Counselor.
There may be a variety of counseling paths to take, depending on what specialty you choose; always check with your state requirements to know what credentials you will need to practice to further becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor, also known as an Addiction Specialist.

Is there substance abuse counselor schools?

An online degree in substance abuse counseling can be obtained at all degree levels, from associate to doctoral. It will help to prepare students to work with clients facing acute behavioral crises. Below is the list of accredited online schools for Substance abuse counselors.

What Jobs are available for Substance abuse counselors?

Substance abuse counselors advise and provide treatment and support to people who suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction, eating disorders, or other behavioral problems.

The Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that substance abuse counselor jobs will grow 31 percent from 2012 to 2024. States are creating networks to improve services for children with serious emotional disturbances. These networks need staffing. 

Also, the criminal justice system creates an additional demand for licensed professional counselors to treat drug offenders as an alternative to jail time.

A substance abuse counselor career opportunity includes the following:

• Hospital
• Residential care facilities
• Prisons
• Individual and family services
• Detox centers

What is a Substance Abuse Counselor’s Salary?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median certified substance abuse counselor salary in May 2012 was $38,520 and rose to $43,300 in 2017. The highest-paid 25 percent made $55,850 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $33,960.

The BLS also reports that those working in the community and social service counselor occupations earn an average of $40,400 annually.

With a master’s and a license, you could expect to fall into a higher range ($45,000-$50,000).

Conclusion

Substance and drug abuse counseling is offered in general healthcare facilities like state, local, and private hospitals or private practices. Prisons, probation and parole agencies, detox centers, halfway houses, and juvenile detention facilities are common work environments for substance abuse counselors. Mental health counselors also work closely with other health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors.

Substance Abuse Counselor FAQs

References

• humanservicesedu.org: Substance Abuse Counselor
• phoenixhouse.org: Signs and Symptoms of Substance Abuse
• www.emedicinehealth.com: Substance Abuse
• who.int: Substance abuse
• geteducated.com: Addiction Counselor Career Outlook
• drugabuse.go: The Science of Drug Use and Addiction

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