Job Information for Addiction Counselors

An addiction counselor is a human-services professional who treats patients suffering from addiction to gambling, smoking, alcohol or drugs. Addiction counseling is based on the understanding that the human brain contains a naturally produced chemical called dopamine. When an addicted person takes drugs or consumes alcohol on a regular basis, the brain begins to produce less dopamine, leaving the individual to continue the habit in order to maintain adequate levels of dopamine.

Job Responsibilities

• The primary job responsibility of an addiction counselor is to diagnose and treat patients either in a one-on-one or group setting. Many counselors also work with a patient's family to help them with their own recovery in dealing with having an addict in the family. The most difficult responsibility of an addiction counselor is to get the patient to trust the process and open up to identity indicators that lead to the addiction in the first place. Once the patient is on his way to recovery, the addiction counselor may also be involved in assisting with finding employment for the patient.

Job Opportunities

• Most addiction counselors find job opportunities in rehabilitation centers. This is where patients with addiction problems go to "dry out" and reacquaint themselves with sobriety. Other career opportunities can also be found in hospitals and other treatment facilities. The Internet offers listings of specific hospitals and clinics that are actively hiring addiction counselors.

Qualitative Requirements

• A qualified candidate for an addiction counselor position requires trustworthiness, first and foremost. Many patients are incredibly vulnerable, so the ability to gain the confidence of the patient and continue an open dialogue to enhance that trust is essential. It is also important for the addiction counselor to be able to maintain an ongoing relationship with the patient while adhering to a high set of personal and professional ethics. An addiction counselor must understand that he has a great deal of responsibility to the patient and the patient's family and must practice in a lawful and compliant manner.

Educational Requirements

• According to the Princeton Review, a bachelor's degree is required, as is two years of experience in another form of counseling or volunteerism. Many addiction counselors prefer to also receive certification from the Association for Addiction Professionals. The purpose of obtaining a license is to help fellow counselors across the country and the association maintain a national standard and benchmark for treating patients successfully.

Average Compensation

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for an addiction counselor is approximately $34,040 per year.