Career Description:
A Substance Abuse counselor is one who advises people who are addicted to substances like drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes to avoid them for prevention from harmful effects on the mind and body. They are specialists in prevention and treatment from such harmful substances and counsel them for a better style of living. They have to deal with their clients in a caring and mature way so that they can adopt a better lifestyle with ease.
How to become a Substance Abuse Counselor:
To become a Substance Abuse Counselor one should complete Bachelor’s Degree or post graduation in clinical therapy, medical counseling, sociology, psychology, etc. The key skills needed from a Substance Abuse Counselor are ability to take patients into control, understand the reasons behind taking such substances, and providing them alternative feasible solutions to come out of such addition and lead a healthy life.
Substance Abuse Counselor Career courses, training, programs:
Various training programs, both full time and part time provide courses in psychology, medication, clinical treatment procedures, mental counseling, etc. There are also various online or distance learning courses that can be opted for by students who are interested to become Student Abuse Counselors.
Substance Abuse Counselor Career schools/colleges, education:
Various colleges and universities in US provide all the relevant courses in health administration, psychology, family therapy, community and individual counseling, etc. One should obtain certification and license to start working as a Substance Abuse Counselor.
Top 5 colleges/universities:
Penn Foster Career School
Walden University
Grand Canyon University
Kaplan University
North central University
Substance Abuse Counselor job opportunities, salaries/pay, recruitment:
According to information from PayScale research, the national salary data suggests that the annual payment of Substance Abuse Counselor is of the range $23,700 to $44,000 with the median salary being $32,000 per year. Candidates with a few years of practical exposure will be entitled to a higher package and a better designation.