How to become an addiction counselor

What does an addiction counselor do?

Addiction counselors help people rebuild their lives and develop healthy coping skills as they recover from addiction. These professionals work in a variety of settings, such as inpatient rehabs, community agencies, hospitals, or jails. Common job duties include:

• Managing cases
• Meeting with patients
• Collaborating with other professionals

Steps to become an addiction counselor

The steps to becoming an addiction counselor can vary depending on state requirements and your career goals.

Many states offer certification for addiction counselors with an undergraduate degree.

A graduate degree is required to work as a licensed counselor who can treat both addiction and mental health disorders. Generally speaking, the more education you receive, the more autonomy and career options you will have.

Here is a general career ladder for addiction counselors relating to their education levels and corresponding job titles:

Step 1: Earn a degree in counseling or a related field

Whether you are seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in addiction counseling, your program will typically require successful completion of foundational coursework and an internship before graduation. Some common courses include:

• Counseling theories and techniques
• Ethics and laws
• Abnormal psychology
• Pharmacology
• Introduction to addiction counseling
• Lifespan development

Counseling courses are heavy on reading and writing. You can expect a combination of research writing and self-reflection assignments. A bachelor's degree takes roughly four years of full-time study to complete, and a master's degree takes another two to three years.

Step 2: Complete an internship

A counseling internship takes place before graduation and usually takes two semesters to complete. You will earn credit for your degree while gaining valuable experience. During the internship, you will start working as a counselor at a site in your community, just like a job.

These internships are designed to help you better understand the work of being an addiction counselor beyond what can be taught in the classroom. Common tasks include:

• Shadowing other counselors
• Learning about documentation
• Managing a small caseload

You will also have supervision, which means meeting with a clinical supervisor for additional support.

Step 3: Complete supervised experience

After graduation, you will begin working as an addiction counselor under a restricted certification or license until you have accrued enough hours to meet your state board requirements. If you are working full time, this takes about two years on average.

During this stage, you will meet with your clients and complete the full job responsibilities of a counselor while receiving regular clinical supervision. Your supervisor is responsible for overseeing your work and providing general guidance. These hours are documented and reported to the board as part of your application for state certification or licensure.

Step 4: Apply for licensure with your state board

After earning your degree and completing your required supervision hours, you can apply for state certification or licensure.

Each state has its own requirements, and you can find more information about the requirements in your state through the National Board for Certified Counseling's state board directory. In general, however, the application typically involves:

• Completing the appropriate forms
• Sending a copy of your college transcripts
• Keeping a record of your supervision hours
• Getting letters of recommendation from other counseling professionals
• Paying any required fees

You will also need to pass a background check.

The general application process is similar for undergraduate certification or state licensure. Licensure is required to practice independently and open your own practice.

Step 5: Pass the licensure exam and state law exam

A passing score on national and state exams is the last step to becoming fully certified or licensed as an addiction counselor before you can practice. The first step is to check with your state board to know what exams are required for your credential.

Many states require addiction counselors to pass a state law test that shows they understand the laws and ethics that guide the profession. National board exams assess your knowledge about counseling and addiction.

The examination process may take a few months, depending on your study habits and how often the exams are made available.

How much money do substance use counselors make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors as a group earn a median annual salary of $53,710 as of May 2023. The lowest 10% of earners earn less than $36,700, and the highest 10% earn more than $89,920. This salary range includes substance use counselors with an undergraduate degree and those with a master's degree that can also provide mental health counseling.

Substance use counselors with a master's degree can take on more responsibilities and have more job opportunities, so they command a salary that is at the higher end of the range compared to a substance use counselor who may have less than a bachelor's degree.

Within each work setting, hiring and salary decisions are often determined by the counselor's certification or licensure because this can determine what a counselor is legally able to do. Counselors with higher-level credentials are eligible for supervisory positions, and independently licensed clinicians can have their own practice.

Employment for substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is expected to grow by 19% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than average, according to the BLS.

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