Substance use disorders are among the most challenging health conditions to treat due to the chronic and compulsive nature of the disorder.
Substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors, are professionals who provide mental, emotional, and behavioral health services to help clients recover from addiction.
Substance abuse counselors are adept at understanding the underlying causes of addiction and helping patients develop coping skills and recognize their triggers to prevent substance use.
What Is A Substance Abuse Counselor?
A substance abuse counselor is an educated professional who works with those living with substance use disorders, behavioral issues, and mental health conditions.
Substance abuse counselors counsel patients about addiction and create individualized treatment plans that help them move toward long-term recovery.
A substance abuse counselor may do general counseling or specialize in a specific subset of patients, such as adolescents.
What Qualifications Does A Substance Abuse Counselor Have?
Each state has its own requirements that drug counselors have to meet.
Across all states, those who practice addiction counseling must have at least a bachelor’s degree; however, to have a private practice, they must have a master’s degree.
Other educational requirements include licensure. To become licensed counselors, students must undergo supervised training hours to gain clinical experience.
Licensed addiction counselors typically spend between 4,000 and 10,000 hours doing supervised training.
What Is A Substance Abuse Counselor’s Role?
The primary role of substance use counselors is to evaluate a patient’s health and recommend a treatment program to meet their needs; however, they do serve other roles in the treatment process.
Diagnosing And Assessing Substance Abuse
One of the primary roles of a substance abuse counselor is assessment and diagnosis.
Through questionnaires and interviews, they determine the severity of alcohol or drug abuse as well as your readiness for change and whether there are co-occurring mental health conditions.
They also identify any potential challenges you may encounter in substance abuse treatment.
Forming Individualized Treatment Plans
Addiction counselors help patients develop personalized treatment plans.
These plans may involve inpatient or outpatient care, psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mental health counseling services, and support groups.
Counselors often develop these plans with other healthcare providers, such as mental health professionals and clinicians.
Leading Therapy Sessions
Addiction counselors also lead therapy sessions for people with substance use disorders. They may also provide therapy for family members and other loved ones.
Therapy sessions led by counselors often involve psychotherapy and may be performed one-on-one or in a group therapy session.
Contributing To Case Management
Case management is a coordinated approach that links patients with the proper services to address their needs.
When a case manager puts together a plan for necessary interventions, the substance abuse counselor contributes to the plan and helps to adjust the plan if needed.
Substance abuse counselors may also play a role in helping the individual transition into a treatment center by recommending specific treatments and specific medications.
Coordinating With Other Healthcare Professionals
Substance abuse counselors coordinate with a variety of medical professionals to manage patient treatment, including social workers, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and nurses.
Counselors often work with these professionals to help the client transition between treatment modalities, including detox, evidence-based therapies and 12-step programs.
Maintaining Client Records
Client records are essential to receiving the proper care. Without accurate progress documentation, it is impossible to collaborate on care, and choosing treatment options becomes difficult.
Substance abuse counselors maintain client records that describe the client’s experience and the counselor’s experience treating them.
Keeping consistent records allows for more effective treatment between healthcare professionals.
Meet With A Substance Abuse Counselor At Bedrock Recovery Center
If you or a loved one is living with drug or alcohol dependency, we can help. Contact Bedrock Recovery Center to meet with a substance abuse counselor and begin treatment.
- Addiction Counselor Certification Board of California https://www.accbc.org/specialty-credential/
- Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25165-substance-abuse-counselor/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/PEP20-02-02-013.pdf/
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm#:~:text=entering%20these%20occupations.-,Substance%20abuse%20and%20behavioral%20disorder%20counselors%20typically%20need%20at%20least,some%20counselors%20must%20be%20licensed./
- Wake Forest University https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/the-role-of-substance-abuse-counselors-in-addiction-recovery/#:~:text=What%20Is%20a%20Substance%20Abuse,skills%20to%20aid%20in%20recovery./
- Wake Forest University https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-substance-abuse-counseling/
