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Substance Abuse Counselor

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?
A Substance Abuse Counselor works with people who have drug or alcohol problems. The people may be addicts or they may be abusers of various substances. They help these people get their lives back under control and free of whatever substance they are abusing. They also work with the families of substance abusers showing them how they can help and support the family member in need. Many times Substance Abuse Counselors work with Probation or Parole Officers to help former inmates with abuse issues.

What Types of People Become Substance Abuse Counselors?
Some of the traits that a Substance Abuse Counselor has are:
  • A desire to help people change their lives for the better
  • The ability to work with groups
  • The ability to teach and instruct
  • To be a calming influence with people
  • Intelligence
What Kind of Training Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Need?
Most states require a license to be a counselor and a part of a lot of states' licensing requirement is that a counselor must have a Masters Degree in counseling, social work, or a related field. Many Substance Abuse Counselors have an Undergraduate Degree in social work or psychology.

What Kind of Income can a Substance Abuse Counselor Expect to Make?
Substance Abuse Counselor's salaries vary quite a lot depending on whether the counselor is in private practice, working with a clinic, or working with a government agency. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2008 the average salary of a Substance Abuse Counselor was $39,630 with the high end being around $62,000.
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