How to Start Your Career as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor

In the United States, more than 20 million people are dependent on drugs and alcohol every year. A considerable number of these people seek rehabilitation or counseling as part of their treatment for substance abuse. 

This makes drug and alcohol counseling one of the quickest rising 50k plus jobs in the country today. Yes, you read it right—drug and alcohol counseling is a lucrative job that can help you earn about $50,000 a year. 

If that fact comes as a surprise to you, you will be more surprised at how easy it is to start your career as a drug and alcohol counselor. 

Are you interested in making more than $50,000 by counseling patients with drug and alcohol problems? 

Do you want to help and guide people in coping with their situation? 

Then drug and alcohol counseling might just be the suitable occupation for you. It can give you the fulfillment you are seeking in a job. 

You must know first what the job requires and entails. You have to be understanding, patient, compassionate, and respectful to be able to perform your duties well. Also, you have to be able to motivate patients to go on with their treatment despite the difficulties. 

Generally, drug and alcohol counselors work in government agencies, hospitals, jails, schools, and shelters where drug and alcohol dependents are treated. Some counselors practice in private companies. 

Aspiring drug and alcohol counselors must get a license in social services before they are allowed to practice the profession. 

If you are not licensed yet, you need to earn first a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or other related fields. That will take about one and a half to three years to complete. 

Depending on your state, you may be required to pass oral and written exams or to attend a clinical setting training. On top of that, you also have to attend workshops and training every year to maintain your license. 

To enrich your knowledge about drug and alcohol counseling, make sure you take all the following psychology- and counseling-related classes: motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, opiate and stimulant education, sedative and alcohol education, and criminal law. 

In your master course, you will be trained to aid patients in identifying their behavior and how it triggers their addiction to drugs or alcohol. When it comes to salary, this job can be financially rewarding.

As a beginner, you may earn between $30,000 to $40,000 but once you gain a little experience, you are going to earn more than $50,000 every year. 

The work schedule of drug and alcohol counselors may be quite demanding. Some of them work on evenings and weekends since most group therapies are done after work to adjust to the schedule of the patients.

However, if you have a passion for the job, you will never mind this minor difficulty. Of course, 50k-plus jobs like this entail some sacrifice. It’s just a small price to pay for a high-paying and fulfilling job. 

Besides, this is your way to help others and do your share in improving the lives of people.