Addiction is a mental health disorder that affects over 50 million men, women, and teens each year. While there is no cure, treating addiction is possible using a combination of behavioral therapy and medical support. Without treatment, those who continue to abuse drugs or alcohol will develop worsening physical and mental health issues and greatly shorten their lifespan. If you are interested in becoming an addiction counselor, go online and search for addiction counselor jobs near me to see the available jobs you can apply for today.
Behavioral Health Jobs is an online jobs database for jobs in the behavioral health industry. Candidates will find thousands of available jobs for therapists, counselors, technicians, managers, and administrative staff. You can start a new search based on job title, education level and experience, distance from home, and other search criteria. For those interested in remote or hybrid work environments, many employers are now offering flexible work environments for a better work/life balance. Find addiction counselor jobs near you today on the Behavioral Health Jobs website and start a new career search.
The Importance of Treating Addiction
Addiction is a lifelong illness with symptoms that can reappear years after completing an addiction recovery program. If patients don’t keep up with their coping skills to manage their symptoms and triggers, they are more likely to relapse and potentially overdose. Fortunately, patients can continue with therapy for as long as necessary to manage their symptoms. Often, patients continue therapy part-time to reduce the risk of relapse and talk about other issues in their lives.
Treating addiction requires a combination of several different types of therapies. A typical addiction treatment program will consist of the following:
- Drug and alcohol detox
- Residential and outpatient treatment programs
- Behavioral and holistic therapies
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Alumni and aftercare programs
If you are interested in becoming an addiction counselor, Behavioral Health Jobs is the best place to find a new job in this rewarding and challenging career field.
Becoming an Addiction Counselor
To work as an addiction counselor, you will need to complete several years of post-secondary education and supervised work experience before diagnosing and treating patients. In addition, you will need a number of soft skills to thrive in this industry. To become an addiction counselor, you will need to complete the following:
- A high school degree or GED
- A bachelor’s degree in psychology
- A master’s degree in social work or psychology
- Apply for certification through The National Board of Certified Counselors
To qualify for certification, you must complete your master’s degree and have up to 3,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Certifications are optional unless you want to specialize in a specific field like addiction, family and marriage counseling, or other specialty areas.
Addiction counselors will work with a wide range of people from all walks of life and will need to have a thick skin to cope with the challenges this job can sometimes present. You will feel elated when your patients succeed, as well as feel overwhelmed if they fail. Other skills you will need to thrive in this position include:
- Excellent time management skills
- Able to show/express empathy
- Basic computer skills
- Active listening and communication skills
- Able to separate work and personal life
- Able to motivate and inspire
Becoming an addiction counselor is a long process, but well worth the time as you will have a chance to improve hundreds of people’s lives. The skills you teach them will allow them to maintain their sobriety no matter the situations they may face.
Behavioral Health Jobs: Your Top Resource for Addiction Counselor Jobs Near You
Treating addiction is possible through a combination of behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment. At Behavioral Health Jobs, we receive new jobs daily for addiction counselors, therapists, administrators, managers, and support staff. Plus, we can help you land your dream job with helpful tips on crafting the perfect resume, the dos and don’ts of interviewing, and other information to benefit your job search.
To start your new career search for an exciting opportunity, check out all of the available careers on the Behavioral Health Jobs website today.
