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Substance abuse counselors work with people who
are addicted to alcohol and/or other substances. These counselors
must assess their clients and then provide appropriate individual
or group counseling to help them identify and understand behaviors
and problems related to their addictions.
Substance abuse counselors work with mental health professionals and
other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers.
People interested in substance abuse counseling must be emotionally
stable and calm in emergency situations, as they are often involved
in crisis intervention.
Substance
Abuse Counselor
Areas of Specialization
Family Counseling, Adolescent Treatment, Assessment Services, Education
and Prevention, Criminal Justice, Eating Disorders, Compulsive Gambling.
Work Environment
Substance abuse counselors work in mental health agencies, hospitals,
correctional institutions, therapeutic communities (where those
addicted live while under treatment), de-toxification centers, private
practice, and addiction treatment centers. The work week is generally
40 hours, but weekends and holidays may be necessary depending on
the setting. Also, many facilities operate 24 hours a day.
Job Outlook
Approximately 430 job openings are expected each year in Florida
until 2008. Nationally, job growth is faster than average.
Length of Training/Requirements
Training programs vary in length from two-year associate degrees
to graduate programs. In addition to general college courses, major
courses include basic counseling skills, group counseling, family
counseling, crisis intervention, substance abuse counseling, research,
program evaluation, ethics, records management and other psychology
and sociology courses.
Advancement
Substance abuse counselors with at least an associate degree may
advance to the position of program director. However, most other
advancements in the field require at least a bachelor's or higher
degree and state certification as an Addiction Professional. Many
treatment centers assist counselors in obtaining continuing education
and supervision required for certification and advancement.
Licensure/Certification
Certification as a substance abuse counselor is voluntary and may
be obtained by examination from the Certification Board for Addiction
Professionals of Florida. There are three levels of certification.
The first is the Certified Associate Addiction Professional
- 1 (CAAP-1). No academic degree is required. Within the past ten
years the applicant must have completed 2,000 hours of work experience,
100 hours of direct supervision, and 150 hours of education, including
course work in counseling, ethics, and addictions. They must also
pass the written certification exam.
The second level of certification is the CAAP-2. The
applicant must have completed an associate degree or received their
high school diploma. With the associate degree, they must have completed
4,000 hours of work experience within the past seven years, 150
hours of direct supervision, and 270 hours of education. With a
high school diploma they must have completed 6,000 hours of work
experience within the past ten years, 300 hours of direct supervision,
and 270 hours of education. Both types of applicants must also pass
the written exam.
The highest level of certification is the Certified
Addiction Professional (CAP). The requirements include a bachelor's
degree in any field, 6,000 hours of work experience within the past
ten years, 300 hours of direct supervision, and 300 hours of education.
They must pass the written exam, as well as an oral exam. Continuing
education hours are required every year for certification renewal.
Updated: 2009 |
