A licensed substance abuse counselor works to assist and support those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. This assistance and support is frequently extended to the substance abuser’s family. A substance abuse counselor assists his client in recognizing and overcoming harmful behaviors. The counselor can also offer crisis counseling and refer clients to organizations that can help them with other issues. Although the requirements for becoming a licensed substance abuse counselor vary state, many states require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.
While seeing clients overcome addiction and live a substance-free life is one of the rewarding aspects of being a licensed substance abuse counselor, there are also several challenging aspects of the job. Due to the sometimes severe emotional demands, many people who begin in the field drop out. Counselors must expect to see some of their clients relapse, go to jail, or even die as a result of their efforts. They must also be prepared to witness the difficult and often tragic circumstances that lead to their clients’ addiction.
A licensed substance abuse counselor may have daily or weekly group or individual sessions to help people overcome addiction. He may also need to come up with a unique plan to help an abuser deal with his cravings and stop engaging in harmful behaviors. Additionally, the counselor may provide crisis counseling, which is short-term counseling that assists a person in dealing with traumatic events.
In addition to counseling sessions, a licensed substance abuse counselor may be required to assist a client in locating other sources of assistance. If the abuser has a medical problem, for example, the counselor may refer him to a medical clinic. A counselor may also administer drug tests and assist in the tracking of a client’s progress, as well as offer to assist the client’s family in dealing with the consequences of substance abuse. In addition, the counselor may try to educate the public in order to prevent substance abuse.
The path to becoming a licensed substance abuse counselor differs state, but many require a master’s degree in a relevant field. In some fields, a certain amount of coursework and experience, whether or not accompanied a college diploma, is sufficient to earn certification. Other fields only require a high school diploma and certification. Because each jurisdiction or state’s requirements may differ, anyone interested in the field should contact the appropriate authorities for more information.