Becoming an addiction counselor is a very rewarding and challenging position where you get to help people through their addiction struggles. Learning about the skills needed to become an addiction counselor is one of the first steps toward working in this fast-growing industry. This post discusses the skills necessary to thrive as an addiction counselor and what you’ll need to do to become one.
Behavioral Health Jobs is an online database of jobs and career advice for those looking for new career opportunities in behavioral health care. Our job board is searchable through job titles or keyword descriptions, industry type, experience, and location. We also include useful tips for fine-tuning your resume, interview techniques, and other information to improve your chances of getting a job.
To start a new search for addiction counselor jobs, visit the Behavioral Health Jobs website today to find a new career opportunity.
The Characteristics of an Addiction Counselor
Working as an addiction counselor is not like other jobs. It requires a special type of person who can empathize with all types of people and has a strong desire to help others. Some general characteristics of an addiction counselor include:
- Someone who is empathetic and knows how to listen to what others are saying
- Has the ability to maintain positive relationships with others while maintaining professional boundaries
- Is very good at being patient and resilient
- Can stay calm and think clearly during interventions and stressful situations
- Can inspire and motivate others toward their goals
Additional characteristics that employers are looking for from their addiction counselors include having strong computer skills, excellent time management skills, and showing leadership characteristics.
Becoming an Addiction Counselor
To become an addiction counselor, you will need to complete post-secondary education and several years of on-the-job experience before you can treat patients. Students can earn a bachelor’s degree in addiction studies, social work, psychology, or a related field. They can also earn a Master’s in substance abuse or addiction counseling.
After earning a degree, you can begin working on obtaining addiction counseling certifications, which will require several years of work experience and additional education. Each state will have different requirements for addiction counselors, so be sure to read the basic requirements of each job description carefully.
The average yearly salary for addiction counselor jobs is around $47,500, but it will depend on education, work experience, and where you live. Less experienced positions will start at around $41,500, whereas more senior-level positions can pay $63,000 and up.
Skills Needed to Become an Addiction Counselor
Addiction counselors who thrive at their jobs will have a well-rounded stockpile of hard and soft skills. These skills include things like performing patient intake and discharge procedures, showing compassion and empathy, and working well within a team environment.
Here are some of the common hard and soft skills needed to become an addiction counselor:
Hard Skills
Hard skills are those skills you gain through schoolwork, internships, and on-the-job training. They teach students about specific clinical procedures, maintaining accurate and confidential reporting, and understanding industry-specific rules and regulations.
Some of the addiction counselor skills that you pick up through education and work experience include:
- Intake and discharge procedures
- Case management
- Social work
- Behavioral therapies
- Performing crisis interventions
- Industry-specific computer hardware and software
Beyond earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree, there are other ways to gain additional hard skills. Obtaining state or national addiction counseling licensing is another way to gain more advanced hard skills and advance toward your career goals.
Soft Skills
Soft skills describe those skills that you learn through personal and professional non-relatable work experiences. They include necessary skills like showing compassion and giving non-biased therapeutic advice. These skills will help counselors develop a closer connection with their patients, making them comfortable discussing difficult subjects.
Here is a list of essential soft addiction counselor skills:
- Active listening
- Able to show empathy and compassion
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Complex problem-solving skills
- Leadership abilities
- Able to separate work and personal life
The most effective addiction counselors are those who have a strong desire to see others thrive. In many cases, those who go through addiction recovery become counselors as a means to maintain their sobriety and to help others through this difficult time.
Behavioral Health Jobs: Find Addiction Counselor Jobs Near You
The Behavioral Health Jobs website is for job candidates who are looking for a rewarding career where they can help people live their best lives. Addiction counselor jobs are in high demand right now and have an expected job growth of 22%, which is much higher than most other industries.
If you have the skills needed for addiction counselors, go to the Behavioral Health Jobs website today to begin a new job search.
