
If you are considering a career in addiction treatment, we can help you get started
State Boards
The credentials and the requirements may vary significantly from state to state. Go to State Boards to find out more about your particular state
Passing the Counselor Exam
Do you want to pass the exam easily and the firs time you take it? Check out these resources and study guides
What is the Value of Credentialing?
See IC&RC video here
Reasons You Should Become a Substance Abuse Counselor
- It’s Tough. Wait, I thought this was reasons that I should become a substance abuse counselor. We spend so much of our time seeking out the path of least resistance and forget the satisfaction that we get from taking on the tough challenges. Being an addictions counselor isn’t the easiest job in the world, but it can certainly be rewarding when you see someone who felt helpless and hopeless make some significant progress and really be excited about life.
- Job Security. This is one job where your goal is to work yourself out of a job, but that isn’t likely to happen. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor the number of substance abuse and behavioral counselor jobs will grow by 27% between 2010 and 2020. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that we have a pretty significant drug problem in the United States. Just watch the news tonight. Besides even if we were to get rid of all the drugs in our country, there are still plenty of other addictions out there.
- It’s not really about the drugs. Sure, drugs are the love of their life and it takes their money, family, health, freedom etc., but people use drugs for a reason. These reasons are often related to mental health issues and an inability to cope with the stresses of life. This is where the counseling comes in. I have often heard Licensed Professional Counselors and social workers say that they don’t want to work with drug addicts, but I guarantee that whether you work in mental health counseling, marriage and family counseling, school counseling or any other counseling, that you will have clients with substance abuse issues.
- Your own personal growth. I have found that when I am working with clients and helping them make some positive changes in their life, that it causes me to examine some of those areas of my life. You feel like a hypocrite when you are stressing the importance of exercise and diet when you are having a donut and a soft drink for breakfast every morning. In group settings in particular, when you are addressing specific topics, you can find yourself growing along with your group members.
- Career growth opportunities. Compared to many other professions, addictions counseling is relatively new. States having a specific substance abuse counselor board and addiction credentials is still new and evolving. These boards are becoming more organized, more involved with legislation and more respected. In the past 15 years, I have seen them add many new credentials as well as many add on credentials. There are credentials for different levels of addiction counselors, counselor supervisors, counselors specializing in gambling, co-occurring disorders and peer counselors. These are just the ones that I can think of off the top of my head. Check your state board to see what credentials are available in your state.
I liked that you pointed out that addiction counseling can be really helpful when it comes to personal growth. That is good to know because my cousin is having issues with addiction. It might be smart for him to find a counselor who can help him out.
Thank you for sharing that! I’m glad the point about addiction counseling resonated with you. Addiction counseling can indeed be a powerful tool for personal growth and recovery, providing the support and strategies needed to overcome challenges. It’s beautiful that you’re thinking about your cousin and how counseling might help him on his journey to recovery. Encouraging him to find a certified counselor could be a significant step toward helping him regain control of his life. If you or your cousin need any resources or information about finding a counselor, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help guide you… Read more »
I liked that you pointed out that addiction counseling can be really helpful when it comes to personal growth. That is good to know because my cousin is having issues with addiction. It might be smart for him to find a counselor who can help him out.
Thank you for sharing that! I’m glad the point about addiction counseling resonated with you. Addiction counseling can indeed be a powerful tool for personal growth and recovery, providing the support and strategies needed to overcome challenges. It’s beautiful that you’re thinking about your cousin and how counseling might help him on his journey to recovery. Encouraging him to find a certified counselor could be a significant step toward helping him regain control of his life. If you or your cousin need any resources or information about finding a counselor, feel free to reach out—I’m happy to help guide you… Read more »