Logo

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors


Overview

Introduction

Alcohol and drug abuse counselors (sometimes called substance abuse counselors) work with people who abuse or are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Through individual and group counseling sessions, they help their clients understand and change their destructive substance abuse behaviors. Approximately 267,730 substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are employed in the United States.

Quick Facts


More

Median Salary

$44,630

More

Employment Prospects

Excellent

More

Minimum Education Level

Associate's Degree
img


More

Experience

Internships and volunteering will provide useful experience


More

Skills

Interpersonal
img


More

Personality Traits

Helpful
img

Earnings

Salaries of alcohol and drug abuse counselors depend on their education level, amount of experience, and place of employment. Generally, the more education and experience a counselor has, the higher his or her earnings will be. 

Alcohol and drug abuse counselors earned a median annual salary of $44,630 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest 10 percent earned l...

Work Environment

The hours that an alcohol and drug abuse counselor works depend upon where he or she is employed. Many residential treatment facilities and mental health centers—and all crisis centers—have counselors on duty during evening and weekend hours. Other employers, such as government agencies and universities, are likely to have more conventional working hours.

Work settings for counselors als...

Outlook

Employment of alcohol and drug abuse counselors is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. More job opportunities for counselors are expected due to recent federal legislation that mandates individual health coverage, which includes treatment for mental health issues and behavioral disorders. Previously uninsure...