What are my career options as a substance abuse counselor and roles can I fill?

Substance abuse counselors specialize in the treatment of disorders related to eating, drugs, alcohol, and various other behavioral issues. The typical career path for a substance abuse counselor starts from residency training, where the counselor must acquire a minimum amount of clinical exposure to begin practicing. Once a substance abuse counselor is licensed they may go into working at local detention centers and hospitals or state and local governments or even managing a private practice.

What soft skills do you need to have to become a substance abuse counselor?

Being a substance abuse counselor requires certain soft skills. Many of these you may have learned from different areas of your life, and during your training to become a substance abuse counselor. Certainly, there are many soft skills that can help you succeed as a therapist. Some of the important skills that will assist you in the counseling profession include: Empathy It is the ability to identify and understand other people’s experiences, even if they do not describe their feelings or thoughts explicitly to you.

Academic requirements for becoming a substance abuse counselor (US)?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the substance abuse counseling industry is expected to experience a growth rate of 22 percent by 2024. This is much faster than many occupations. Much of the growth can be attributed to the provision made in the Affordable Care Act Mandate to also cover for mental health issues. If you are interested in pursuing a career in substance abuse counseling, the job outlook and projections are in your favor.