According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance use costs Americans $740 billion each year due to crime, healthcare, and decreased productivity. This issue also costs human lives. Society needs qualified substance use counselors to help individuals cope with addiction.
Becoming a qualified substance use counselor with a master's degree takes about six years of higher education and requires sincere commitment. Compassionate individuals who enjoy problem-solving and active listening typically thrive in this role. Keep reading to learn how to become a substance use counselor.
What Does a Substance Use Counselor Do?
Substance use counselors work closely with clients to create and implement treatment plans. Typically, these individuals work at a mental health clinic, hospital, or private practice. They conduct one-on-one therapy sessions with individuals experiencing substance use issues. They also facilitate group counseling sessions where individuals verbally process their experiences.
These counselors primarily help patients struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism. They study how different substances affect the brain, emotional health, and behaviors. Substance use counselors actively listen to their clients and take notes during a session. They connect patients and their family members with helpful community resources.
Some substance use counselors contribute to substance use prevention and education efforts. They host community seminars explaining how to identify substance use issues or speak at schools to educate students about illegal drugs.
Salary varies based on geographical region. Local governments often offer incentives, like federal loan forgiveness, to counselors who work in high-need areas. Certain employers, like federal prisons, often pay more to attract a competitive job pool.
Six Steps to Becoming a Substance Use Counselor
Becoming an addiction counselor takes time and effort. After completing education and following the necessary steps, individuals can earn jobs as substance use counselors in private practice, rehabilitation, or hospital settings. Below, we discuss actions these professionals must take to emerge as a leader in this field.
Bachelor's students increase their chances of entering a competitive master's program by gaining volunteer experience at a substance use counseling center.
Ideally, students research master's programs during their junior year of college. Some master's programs feature a more competitive applicant pool than traditional bachelor's programs, so consider applying to multiple programs.
Students gain hands-on experience in internships, while practicums generally emphasize observation. Both provide students with the chance to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios.
A concentration requires 12-21 credits and may include an additional practicum component. Individuals who want to become a substance use counselor often select a concentration in addiction recovery.
Most licensing boards require prospective counselors to obtain a master's degree in a field related to counseling and complete about 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Once they meet these requirements, candidates can take the licensing exam.
Individuals also earn certifications to demonstrate their professional knowledge. Substance use counselors benefit from becoming a certified alcohol and drug use counselor.
Many students earn their doctorate while working full time. Typically, a doctoral degree requires 120 credits and takes 4-6 years to complete.
Preparing to Become a Substance Use Counselor: Schools and Programs
Prospective students interested in pursuing substance use counseling should make a list of the top qualities they hope to find in a program. Examples of priorities could include affordable tuition, a low student-to-faculty ratio, a flexible program format, and a customizable curriculum.
Individuals who value affordability often take financial aid into consideration. Some colleges with high tuition offer significantly more financial aid to students. Third-party scholarships and federal grants also decrease out-of-pocket expenses. Individuals willing to pay more for smaller class sizes often consider private colleges over state schools.
Program format makes an impact on student satisfaction. For example, individuals who value flexibility benefit from online programs that follow an asynchronous format. This type of program allows students to watch pre-recorded lectures and hold conversations with peers online.
Prospective students should ensure that a program's curriculum aligns with their career goals.
Courses in Substance Use Counselor Programs
A substance use counselor program teaches students about diverse perspectives in the field. Master's programs require 35-50 credits depending on the school and take 2-4 years to complete.
In their courses, students examine substance use warning signs and effects, prevention and intervention, and various counseling forms and philosophies. Many programs include internships, requiring students to complete supervised working hours and providing hands-on experience. Find potential course examples for substance use counselor programs below, but keep in mind not all schools hold these class offerings.
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Counseling Theories
Graduates entering substance use counseling need to know the leading theories in their field. This course gives students the tools to develop their own counseling philosophies and provide effective care to future patients. Common theories include existential psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and rational behavioral therapy.
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Social and Cultural Diversity Issues in Counseling
Substance use counselors help patients with diverse backgrounds daily. In this course, students obtain a firm understanding regarding social and multicultural issues experienced in their field to better inform their practice. This course addresses topics like race, gender, and disabilities. Instructors also address historical diversity issues in counseling and modern trends in the profession.
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Diagnostics, Assessment, and Treatment
This course provides information about tools and procedures for diagnosing patients, assessing their health conditions, and providing care. Learners develop skills to address common addiction and mental health situations. Students examine the latest substance use therapy tools and technology.
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Practicum/Internship
Most programs require students to participate in a practicum or internship where they acquire professional experience with licensed substance use counselors. In a practicum or internship, students and counselors work together in a clinical setting. Students observe professionals at work and participate in the job's daily tasks with their direct mentorship.
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Group Counseling Theory and Practice
Substance use counselors often facilitate group therapy sessions. Graduate students learn ways to effectively navigate group settings by examining their role and the patients' roles, as well as strategies and tools. Because counselors use many different styles of leadership in group settings, learners examine multiple styles to find what works best for them.
Accreditation for a Substance Use Counselor Program
Before choosing a substance use counseling program, individuals should check the institution's accreditation status. A regionally accredited school regularly receives quality assessments from a third-party organization that the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation oversee.
Schools earn either regional or national accreditation, but employers view degrees from schools with regional accreditation as more reputable. Most scholarships reserve their funds exclusively for students attending an accredited institution. Individuals can research a college or university's accreditation status by using the ED Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs tool.
Counseling programs can also earn programmatic accreditation. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs grants accreditation to substance use counseling programs. In addition, online programs can earn accreditation. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission grants accreditation to online programs.
Substance Use Counselor Specialties
Students select a concentration in their degree to specialize. Each school offer a unique set of concentrations, and some programs do not offer concentrations at all. Programs that do not offer concentrations often allow students to tailor their studies with a minor.
Examples of ideal concentrations for prospective substance use counselors include alcoholism, adolescent addiction, and mental health. Individuals pursuing a concentration in alcohol addiction learn about topics like genetic predisposition and the physical effects of alcohol.
Students focusing on adolescent addiction learn about how drugs and alcohol impact a developing brain. A mental health concentration emphasizes how substances detrimentally affect mental health and how some mental health disorders lead to substance use.
Individuals can also earn a certification from a professional organization to show their expertise in their specialty.
Substance Use Counselor Certification
Earning a certification demonstrates your expertise to both employers and clients.
National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals
The National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP) offers three levels of certification: national certified addiction counselor, level I; national certified addiction counselor, level II; and master addiction counselor. Each level has its own set of eligibility requirements.
NCCAP also offers specialized certifications, such as nicotine dependence, adolescent addiction, or peer recovery support. NCCAP requires a $235 application fee and a $200 renewal application fee every two years.
Components of a Successful Substance Use Counselor Career: Skills, Credentials, Tools, and Technology
It takes more than just a master's degree to succeed as a substance use counselor. These professionals take further steps to educate themselves and demonstrate competency.
For example, counselors need excellent interpersonal and active listening skills. They demonstrate these skills by listening to interview questions and answering them clearly and confidently. Counselors also need problem-solving skills to develop creative treatment approaches.
Many counseling centers now offer teletherapy, so employers often seek candidates with computer skills. Substance use counselors must also understand software programs, like TherapyNotes. Self-employed substance use counselors also need marketing and accounting skills.
Substance Use Counselor Salary and Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 397,880 substance use, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselors working in the U.S. in 2023. Substance use counselors work in a variety of settings, from rehabilitation and substance use centers to hospitals, prisons and detention facilities. Others work in detox centers and recovery houses. The country's prolonged battle against opioids – more than 115 people die every day in the U.S. after overdosing on opioids – will continue to be a major driver of employment for substance use counselors.
Substance Use Counselor Salaries
The median annual salary for substance use counselors and related professions was $53,710 in May of 2023. Wages for the top 10 percent of U.S. substance use and mental health counselors was considerably higher, though, at just south of $90,000 annually.
Substance use counselors who worked in local government also earned more than the national average at $68,830, as did counselors employed by healthcare care providers ‘ offices ($66,500). Average wages dipped below the national average for substance use counselors employed at outpatient care centers, individual and family services, and residential substance use facilities.
Payscale.com reports that late-career professionals often earn up to 11 percent more than the national average. Location also can affect wages, as can specialty skills such as cognitive behavioral therapy, criminal, clinical supervision, electronic medical records (EMR), and team leadership.
The following table examines mean annual wages and employment data for substance use counselors in each state:
| State | Annual Mean Wage | Projected Job Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,900 | 16.9% |
| Alaska | $77,430 | 10.6% |
| Arizona | $60,640 | 52.4% |
| Arkansas | $66,180 | 26.9% |
| California | $66,970 | 17.3% |
| Colorado | $62,380 | 35.7% |
| Connecticut | $61,100 | 19.6% |
| Delaware | $51,220 | 35.0% |
| District of Columbia | $67,750 | 21.0% |
| Florida | $56,980 | 27.5% |
| Georgia | $53,760 | 32.2% |
| Hawaii | $61,530 | 25.0% |
| Idaho | $58,990 | 19.9% |
| Illinois | $63,450 | 17.8% |
| Indiana | $49,750 | 21.4% |
| Iowa | $61,770 | 30.8% |
| Kansas | $54,170 | 15.5% |
| Kentucky | $53,690 | 25.9% |
| Louisiana | $42,280 | 11.3% |
| Maine | $57,610 | 5.4% |
| Maryland | $61,860 | 23.3% |
| Massachusetts | $58,720 | 21.8% |
| Michigan | $57,560 | 21.3% |
| Minnesota | $54,420 | 22.7% |
| Mississippi | $47,500 | 17.3% |
| Missouri | $55,910 | 13.8% |
| Montana | $53,690 | 20.8% |
| Nebraska | $58,720 | 20.4% |
| Nevada | $59,820 | 26.3% |
| New Hampshire | $57,110 | 25.4% |
| New Jersey | $67,250 | 21.9% |
| New Mexico | $66,190 | 18.7% |
| New York | $67,240 | 33.4% |
| North Carolina | $56,510 | 23.9% |
| North Dakota | $66,200 | 19.5% |
| Ohio | $57,300 | 20.8% |
| Oklahoma | $61,760 | 24.9% |
| Oregon | $66,260 | 26.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $56,090 | 18.8% |
| Puerto Rico | $28,480 | 27.8% |
| Rhode Island | $50,110 | 23.1% |
| South Carolina | $49,310 | 23.4% |
| South Dakota | $50,960 | 13.5% |
| Tennessee | $49,280 | 35.0% |
| Texas | $55,780 | 28.2% |
| Utah | $70,310 | 37.2% |
| Vermont | $58,880 | 21.7% |
| Virginia | $58,610 | 19.5% |
| Washington | $63,490 | 23.1% |
| West Virginia | $47,520 | 27.9% |
| Wisconsin | $66,230 | 18.5% |
| Wyoming | $66,430 | 20.6% |
Substance Use Counselor Job Outlook
Employment for substance use counselors is projected to rise by 18 percent, or 71,500 new jobs, between 2022 and 2032, the BLS reports. This projected job growth is much faster than average. Several factors will contribute to the increased demand:
- More states are making a push to provide counseling and treatment to drug offenders rather than sentence them to jail time or prison.
- These professions grow as people continue to seek help for addictions.
- The continued fight against prescription pain relievers and other drugs, including heroin and fentanyl. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that the economic burden of prescription opioid use is more than $78.5 billion annually.
- Improved access to treatment centers and recovery services for drug users.
Advances in pain management practices, new research into pain and addiction, and the production of non-addictive medications and technologies could eventually ease demand for substance use counselors. Yet, these developments are in their early stages and have not had any significant impact on the nation's need for trained substance use counselors.
FAQ on Becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor
1. How long does it take to become a substance use counselor?
Substance use counselors require 6-8 years of training to become licensed, depending on their state’s requirements. After a master's degree, substance use counselors must complete around 3,000 supervised hours, which takes about two years.
2. How much do substance use and behavioral disorder counselors make?
BLS reports a median annual salary of $53,710 for substance use and behavioral disorder counselors. Factors like employer type, years of experience, and geographical location affect salary.
3. What do substance use and behavioral disorder counselors do?
These professionals diagnose and treat individuals experiencing substance use issues. They facilitate individual and group therapy sessions and provide clients with resources to overcome addiction.
4. How much schooling does a counselor need?
Each state maintains different requirements, but most licensing boards require at least a master's degree related to substance use counseling. This means most counselors spend at least six years on higher education.
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