Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
What is a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor?
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors are professionals who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. They work with clients to explore the underlying issues contributing to their substance use, develop coping strategies, and create personalized treatment plans. These counselors provide therapeutic support through individual, group, or family counseling sessions, helping clients to overcome their dependencies and make positive lifestyle changes. They also play a crucial role in guiding clients through the recovery process, which may include connecting them to additional resources, such as support groups and rehabilitation programs. By fostering a supportive and non-judgmental environment, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors empower individuals to take charge of their recovery journey, ultimately promoting long-term wellness and resilience.
Tasks
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
- Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
- Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
Technology Skills
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Electronic mail software
- Email software
- IBM Lotus Notes
- Microsoft Outlook
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Medical software
- Addison Health Systems WritePad EHR
- Athena Software Penelope Case Management
- STI Computer Services ChartMaker
- Varian Medical Systems
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Data base user interface and query software
- Database software
- Economic Analysis Group EAG CaseTrack
- Online informational database software
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Tools Used
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Notebook computers
- Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
- Alcohol analyzers
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Desktop computers
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Personal computers
Knowledge
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Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
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Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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Master's degree
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Work Activities
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Detailed Work Activities
- Maintain client records.
- Write reports or evaluations.
- Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
- Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
- Administer drug screening tests.
Work Interests
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Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
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Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$36700.0 - $89920.0
This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.