Substance Abuse Counselor
Quick Facts
What They Do
A Substance Abuse Counselor counsels people struggling with addictions to alcohol, drugs or other substances. Assists clients in dealing with personal and professional problems related to substance abuse. Collaborates with other health care and mental health care professionals to coordinate services for clients, and works with families of substance abusers. May work in a clinic, health care facility or community based program, or work with clients referred through the criminal justice system.
Core Tasks:
- Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
- Encourage clients to express their feelings and discuss what is happening in their lives, helping them to develop insight into themselves or their relationships.
- Assess patients for risk of suicide attempts.
- Fill out and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal- and state-mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Perform crisis interventions to help ensure the safety of the patients and others.
- Guide clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems.
- Perform crisis interventions with clients.
- Prepare and maintain all required treatment records and reports.
- Develop and implement treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
- Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, or tests.
- Modify treatment activities or approaches as needed to comply with changes in clients' status.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling programs on clients' progress in resolving identified problems and moving towards defined objectives.
- Evaluate clients' physical or mental condition, based on review of client information.
- Supervise other counselors, social service staff, assistants, or graduate students.
- Refer patients, clients, or family members to community resources or to specialists as necessary.
- Discuss with individual patients their plans for life after leaving therapy.
- Act as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals and other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans.
- Learn about new developments in counseling by reading professional literature, attending courses and seminars, or establishing and maintaining contact with other social service agencies.
- Plan, organize, or lead structured programs of counseling, work, study, recreation, or social activities for clients.
- Gather information about community mental health needs or resources that could be used in conjunction with therapy.
- Monitor clients' use of medications.
- Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting clients or patients.
- Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse or improve community health or counseling services.
- Meet with families, probation officers, police, or other interested parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process.
- Coordinate or direct employee workshops, courses, or training about mental health issues.
What to expect as a Substance Abuse Counselor
43% of people achieve this level of education.
See Substance Abuse Counselor related courses on Tallo
1133 openings for Substance Abuse Counselors
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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