What Is an Addiction Counselor's Job?

According to the University of Mary, addiction counselors are responsible for helping individuals that have problems with drugs, alcohol, gambling or eating disorders. Addiction counselors work with and meet those identified with destructive addictions, and help them understand their behavior and begin to treat their addiction. Counselors meet with clients in both individual and group settings, and may also meet with family members that are affected by clients' disorders.

Education

• Most employers require potential addiction counselors to have at least a bachelor's degree in psychology, behavioral studies, counseling or in a related field. A portion of the curriculum for anyone looking to become an addiction counselor includes General Psychology, Addiction Counseling Skills, Group Counseling, Theories of Counseling and Pharmacology of Drugs and Abuse.

Skills

• Individuals looking to become addiction counselors must have an intense desire to help others and need to be able to create trust, respect and confidence with their clients. Addiction counselors must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate with clients in an effective and efficient manner. Counselors need to develop a working relationship with clients, which will help treat and rid them of their addiction.

Environment

• Addiction counselors will usually work a regular 40-hour week, but may have to modify their hours to accommodate their clients' schedules, which can include nights, weekends and holidays. Some counselors are self-employed, while others work for hospitals and governmental agencies. Addiction counselors may have to make themselves available in case of emergencies.

Certification

• The certification requirements vary from state to state, but most states require that an addiction counselor complete a master's degree from an accredited university and have a minimum number of hours of counseling experience. The State of Oregon, for example, requires that an applicant have at least 150 hours of drug and alcohol experience as well as 1,000 supervised experience hours in the addiction counselor competencies, sign an ethics agreement, obtain a letter of verification and pass the NCAC National Certification Exam.

Conditions

• Addiction counselors may work under very tense and stressful conditions. Some counselors may find work in halfway houses in order to treat individuals who are recently released from prison because of their addiction. Counselors often deal with individuals who are in crisis and may overdose, hurt someone or become suicidal. Clients can become severely depressed and may be diagnosed with certain disorders, which can require extensive treatment.