People receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addiction will participate in counseling and therapy sessions to learn how their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behavior and develop the skills necessary to overcome their addictions. One of the first people they’ll be introduced to when beginning treatment is an addiction counselor. These healthcare professionals play a huge role in the treatment process by helping manage the client’s recovery journey, guiding them throughout treatment, and helping them plan for life after treatment.
Below we’ll explore exactly what an addiction counselor does, how they help people through recovery, and where they work.
What Is An Addiction Counselor?
Addiction counselors are trained and qualified mental health professionals with backgrounds in addiction treatment who help people achieve recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs), often serving as the main point of contact during treatment. Clients meet regularly with their addiction counselor for a variety of services relating to recovery.
In the past, addiction counselors were sometimes also called “substance abuse counselors,” but efforts are being made to move away from using the word “abuse” when referring to SUD and addiction, due to its negative connotations and contributing to stigma.
Qualifications For Becoming An Addiction Counselor
To become an addiction counselor, you must have the appropriate education and experience, as well as a state license. Training, education, and experience requirements may differ from state to state, but in general, people seeking to become addiction counselors must have at least a high school diploma and often a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Leadership positions or more intensive roles may require a master’s degree. Specialized addiction treatment training in an accredited program is also required, followed by gaining practical experience through an internship or clinical work.
Many addiction counselors have been through the addiction treatment process and are in recovery themselves. Though this can help counselors relate to their clients, prior treatment isn’t a requirement in most cases.
When all requirements have been met, candidates may receive a certified addiction counselor (CAC) or licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) certification.
Qualities that can help addiction counselors succeed include patience, professionalism, empathy, strong communication skills, and active listening.
The Role Of An Addiction Counselor
The role of an addiction counselor is vast and may vary based on the client’s needs, where the addiction counselor is working, and their background, qualifications, and specialized training. According to Addiction Counseling Competencies, or Technical Assistance Publication (TAP) 21, created by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the main duties of an addiction counselor typically include treatment planning, service coordination, referrals, and counseling. Read on for a more detailed look into some of these and additional services provided by addiction counselors.
Assessments
The first job of an addiction counselor may be to conduct an assessment of the client. This will include structured interviews, questionnaires, and other screening tools to evaluate substance use history, mental health, and overall well-being. Addiction counselors gather information about the frequency, duration, and impact of substance use, identifying triggers and co-occurring disorders if present. Counselors use the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) or DSM-5 criteria to determine the severity of addiction and recommend appropriate treatment.
Treatment Planning
Based on the results of the assessment, an addiction counselor’s next duty may be to outline a treatment plan. Treatment plans typically include traditional addiction recovery methods like therapy and counseling in individual and/or group settings. However, an addiction counselor may recognize that the client would benefit from other treatment options as well, such as dual diagnosis treatment, anger management classes, trauma-informed care, and medications if withdrawal symptoms are present.
Counseling Sessions
An addiction counselor will conduct individual counseling sessions for clients, typically lasting about an hour. In these sessions, clients talk about their current and past struggles, future anxieties, recovery progress, and other topics related to their recovery. These sessions provide an opportunity for the counselor to evaluate the client’s progress and what is and isn’t working for them.
An addiction counselor may also lead group counseling sessions on a variety of topics such as identifying triggers, healing from trauma, developing coping skills, building a relapse prevention plan, and more. These sessions allow clients to interact and build off each other’s experience.
Case Management Assistance
Counselors may work with case managers to ensure that clients are receiving the right treatment and support, including from other treatment professionals and community organizations, for a comprehensive approach to treatment. The counselor may help monitor progress, adjust plans as needed, and advocate for the client, in the same vein as a case manager. By working closely with the client, the counselor may be able to make recommendations that help support the client’s long-term recovery.
Support System
An addiction counselor will also often become part of the client’s support system. In some cases, people facing addiction don’t have family, friends, or other loved ones supporting their recovery. Even when loved ones do support recovery, they may not know how best to do so, providing only minimal support. An addiction counselor can be the start of a healthy support system by not judging the client, celebrating milestones, encouraging a positive attitude, advocating for the client’s best interests, and reminding the client of their progress when there are obstacles. If relapse occurs, the counselor can be supportive, not admonishing, and steer the client back toward treatment.
Where Do Addiction Counselors Work?
Common settings where addiction counselors work include outpatient, residential, and inpatient addiction treatment centers. They may provide one-on-one sessions, group sessions, or both. Though many addiction counselors work in treatment facilities, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that some work in mental health centers, community health centers, or private practices.
Meet With A Substance Abuse Counselor At Bedrock Today
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/
