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Substance Abuse Counselors assist physicians, psychologists, social workers, and registered nurses in a rehabilitation treatment program for drug-dependent or alcohol-dependent patients.

JOB DUTIES

Substance Abuse Counselors may:

Interview prospective patients/clients

Greet new patients/clients and establish a person-to-person relationship

Conduct individual and group counseling sessions

Provide individual guidance and encouragement

Present a variety of educational material to counselees

Assist counselees in seeking and obtaining employment

Do follow-up work on discharged patients to determine the effectiveness of the treatment

Counsel and conduct educational classes for the families of patients

Read the entries made by other staff members in the log books and other records

Participate in case conferences and staff meetings

Write progress reports regarding assigned counselees for courts, probation departments, and employers

Maintain appropriate case records and other records as required

Address community groups on the dangers and symptoms of substance abuse and the services of the substance abuse programs

Work aids used may include:

• Various types of records, such as:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

045.107-058 SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELORS assist physicians, psychologists, social workers, and registered nurses in rehabilitation treatment programs for patients or clients dependent on alcohol and/or other drugs. While most Substance Abuse Counselors are trained to work with all forms of substance abuse, including cross-addictions, they may specialize by working with only alcohol-dependent patients or only those who are dependent on other drugs. Substance Abuse Counselors may work under a variety of titles such as drug/alcohol rehabilitation technician, rehabilitation counselor, substance abuse technician, patient counselor, chemical dependency technician, or residential counselor.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Substance Abuse Counselors working in large programs are supervised by the assistant program director or a social worker with an M.S.W. Counselors supervise those patients/clients who are assigned to them as part of their case load and sometimes, supervise interns and volunteers.

Substance Abuse Counselors spend most of their time in facilities which are usually well lighted and ventilated. However, they may be required to travel to counselees' homes where conditions can vary greatly.

Most Substance Abuse Counselors are paid employees who work full-time (40 hours, 5 days per week), or part-time (35 hours per week or less). Other Substance Abuse Counselors work on a volunteer basis. Some Counselors are required to be scheduled for on-call duty one weekend per month.

Substance Abuse Counselors may become members of unions representing employees where they work. They may also join professional associations such as the American Association for Counseling and Development. Members pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which involve direct personal contact to help people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation by others

• Activities concerned with communication of ideas/information to

          others

You Should Be Able To:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate activities or the actions of others

• Influence people's opinions, attitudes, or behavior

• Rate information based on personal judgment and verifiable data

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

A patient of yours is searching for employment and he or she has to take a math test. If they score 25 out of 40 correct, what is their percentage correct?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Stress is the body's response to external conditions (or stressors) that upset our equilibrium.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the progress of a patient that you are treating.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best way to explain a course of action to a patient that does not agree that he or she has a problem.

In Michigan, although certification is not be required for most employment, some Substance Abuse Counselors choose to be tested by the State of Michigan's Center for Substance Abuse Services, which is part of the Michigan Department of Community Health. Passing the test is required of Substance Abuse Counselors employed by agencies receiving funding from the Office of Substance Abuse Services. Recognition is available as an Apprentice Counselor or an Addictions Counselor. Written tests must also be passed for certification. In addition, to become a Certified Addictions Counselor (CAC), applicants must have 6,000 hours of supervised substance abuse treatment experience within an 8-year period; obtain 3 professional references; make a written and oral case presentation; have 270 hours of substance abuse training or education; and have completed an approved practicum (supervised work experience which is part of a training program) of at least 300 contact hours. They must also sign a code of ethics statement.

Most employers require former substance abusers who wish to work as counselors to have been free of chemical addiction for a set period of time before being considered for employment.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: An Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond High School) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

190 SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING

Programs in Substance Abuse Counseling provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills used in rehabilitating persons who experience difficulty as a result of substance abuse.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

Patterns of Addiction & Treatment

Drug Use Epidemiology

Alcohol Problems

Staff Roles & Relations in Substance Abuse

Pharmacology

Group & Social Process

Substance Abuse Agencies & Treatment Modalities

Problems of Substance Abuse

Social Prevention of Substance Abuse

Group Interaction Experience

Individual & Group Techniques Seminars

Behavior Management of Groups Practicum

225 HYPNOTHERAPY

Programs in Hypnotherapy prepare individuals to use Hypnosis as a tool to assist patients in reducing physical pain, resolving emotional conflicts, and enhancing communications with others. Programs include instruction in trance inducement and its relation to other healing arts.

               Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at http://www.myfuture.com

CASEWORKERS AND COUNSELORS

Just like some civilians, some military personnel can develop problems with drug or alcohol abuse. Others may develop depression or other emotional problems. Caseworkers and counselors help military personnel and their families to overcome social problems. They work as a part of a team that may include social workers, psychologists, medical officers, chaplains, personnel specialists, and commanders.

What They Do

Caseworkers and counselors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Interview personnel who request help or are referred by their commanders

• Identify personal problems and determine the need for professional help

• Counsel personnel and their families

• Administer and score psychological

• Teach classes on human relations

• Keep records of counseling sessions and make reports to supervisors

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include health, biology, psychology, sociology, social science, and speech. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in working with people

• Patience in dealing with problems that take time and effort to overcome

• Sensitivity to the needs of others

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 10 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in counseling. Course content typically includes:

• Orientation to counseling and social service programs

• Interviewing and counseling methods

• Treatments for drug and alcohol abuse

• Psychological testing techniques

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Work Environment

Caseworkers and counselors usually work in offices or clinics.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian caseworkers and counselors work in rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, and public agencies. Their duties are similar to duties in the military. Civilian caseworkers and counselors, however, are usually required to have a college degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. They may be called group workers, human relations counselors, or drug and alcohol counselors.

Physical Demands

Caseworkers and counselors need to speak clearly and distinctly in order to teach classes and work with personnel who have problems.

Opportunities

The services have about 800 caseworkers and counselors. On average, they need about 100 new caseworkers and counselors each year. After job training, caseworkers and counselors work under close supervision. With experience, they work more independently and may supervise other caseworkers.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Most substance abuse treatment programs make full use of part-time and volunteer help. Those who are completing a bachelor's degree may be able to become an intern at a rehabilitation facility. Postsecondary education programs in Substance Abuse Counseling may provide practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Substance Abuse Counselor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Substance Abuse Counselor employer

community service work with an agency

The most common means of entry is direct application to employers. Passing an exam may be required of applicants for positions with governmental agencies. Assistance in locating job openings may be obtained through school placement offices, or a local office of Michigan Works!. Job openings for Substance Abuse Counselors may be listed in newspaper want ads and professional journals.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Substance Abuse Counselors vary with the employer and the individual Counselor's education and/or experience, longevity, and job responsibilities.

In the federal government, Substance Abuse Counselors, (called Rehabilitation Counselors) with 2 years of experience, 1 year of specialized training, or 2 years of related education started at $17,447 per year (1997). Those who had 3 years of experience or a bachelor's degree entered at $19,520 annually. With additional specialized education or a master's degree in a related field, Substance Abuse Counselors could start at $21,758 per year. Counselors with more experience had beginning salaries of up to $29,577 (1997). The salaries of these government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Substance Abuse Counselors with Bachelor's or Master's degrees employed in private rehabilitation programs in Michigan had annual earnings ranging from about $20,000 to $30,000 in early 1997. Intake or support personnel without degrees earned from $18,000 to $20,000 per year in 1997.

Substance Abuse Technicians employed by mid-west hospitals in 1997 earned average annual salaries of $31,500 with most salaries ranging between $28,100 and $35,400 per year. Directors of Chemical Dependency programs in Michigan hospitals in late 1996 earned an average of $43,200 per year.

Substance Abuse Counselors employed by the City of Detroit earned $18,516 to $26,039 per year in 1997. Senior Substance Abuse Counselors earned between $27,600 and $28,400 per year.

Some Substance Abuse Counselors also received periodic cost-of-living allowances.

Some full-time Substance Abuse Counselors receive a benefit package which includes paid hospitalization, life, and health insurance; paid sick leave, vacations, and holidays; and pension benefits.

Advancement for Counselors without college degrees is very limited. Those employed by private agencies may advance to the position of assistant program director. Those employed by governmental agencies may advance to senior Substance Abuse Counselors. With additional education (usually a graduate degree in social work), Substance Abuse Counselors at private facilities may advance to program director and facility director.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Specific data on the number of Substance Abuse Counselors employed nationwide is unavailable.

The increased awareness by both communities and employers of the problem of substance abuse has led to the development of many new counseling programs. Labor organizations and employers frequently contract with outside agencies and consultants to provide these counseling services. A positive employment picture for Substance Abuse Counselors should result if this trend continues. However, the number of persons seeking treatment and the amount of available funding will also affect job openings.

In Michigan, there were 300 Certified Addictions Counselors (1996). It is not known how many other Substance Abuse Counselors there were working in Michigan , although there were 800 substance abuse programs. Some were large with 10-15 counselors, while others may have only one counselor. Substance Abuse Counselors were employed in various settings, including private and public hospitals, outpatient clinics, residential and day care facilities. Others worked in community mental health agencies, prisons, methadone clinics, and in agencies providing crisis intervention services. Still others worked for businesses providing in-house substance abuse counseling services as part of their employee assistance programs (EAP's).

Growing public concern over the health-related problems due to substance abuse, and the effects upon society resulting from the actions of chemically-addicted persons, such as rising crime rates and decreased worker productivity, are expected to lead to a greater demand for Substance Abuse Counselors in Michigan. More workers have insurance for substance abuse-related mental health illnesses. Experts in the field anticipate rapid employment growth due to these third-party reimbursements for substance abuse treatment services.

Reductions in government funding may limit employment opportunities with employers who rely heavily on these funds in order to provide services. Opportunities are best for Substance Abuse Counselors with postsecondary training and certification.

MICHIGAN 'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

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Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

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SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Substance Abuse Counselor can be summarized by the following:

  MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development