How To Become a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor

[/content_band]

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Educational requirements range from a high school diploma and certification to a master’s degree. Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors with more education are able to provide more services to their clients, such as private one-on-one counseling sessions, and they require less supervision than those with less education. A majority of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors have a master’s degree.

Featured Schools

You will need an extensive amount of skill, knowledge and experience to be a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, a surgeon must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Careers in this difficulty category may need some on-the-job-training, but most of these careers assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, and work-related experience and training. These careers usually involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Similar careers include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, neurologists, and veterinarians.

[clear]

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in private practice must be licensed. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require a master’s degree and between 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. In addition, counselors must pass a state-recognized exam and complete continuing education every year. Contact information for your state’s regulating board can be found through the National Board for Certified Counselors. The licensure or certification criteria for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors outside of private practice vary from state to state. For example, not all states require a specific degree, but many require applicants to pass an exam. Contact information for your state’s licensing board can found through the Addiction Technology Transfer Center.

We asked other Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors if they could only have 5 skills, what would they be. Here is what they said.

Just like any other job, you will need certain know-hows to excel at your job. Certified Alcohol Drug Counselors are generally very knowledgeable in these 5 key areas.