Addiction Counseling Jobs

Introduction

Drug addiction/substance abuse counseling is considered among fastest growing concentrations among other counseling specializations. But still there are lots of people who are not familiar with professional responsibilities of these professionals and jobs available in market. In this article I will try to discuss some major job for qualified addiction counselors possessing online counseling degree holders.

 Definition of Addiction Counseling

Addiction or substance abuse counselors are  qualified professionals who help individuals, families and groups to get rid of addictions like drug or alcohol. They work with other health care specialists to develop treatment plans according to the needs of individual patients. Students and human services professionals who are willing to become addiction counselor must understand the serious nature of this profession and work determination. Besides this primary understanding, students are required to earn online counseling degree with special focus in substance abuse or addiction counseling.

Where do Addiction Counselors find jobs?

Well qualified professionals mainly find career oriented jobs in medical and health care facilities like hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centers. They also practice individually or in group settings. Qualified professionals also work in community improvement programs and government agencies. Moreover, practicing privately as a consultant is also more practicable employment option, as insurance companies are also provide counseling service coverage to their clients.

Major Jobs for Addiction Counselors Possessing Online Counseling Degree

Irrespective to the sector and organizations, these professionals are working for, they work independently or as a part of team or group in any work setting. Proper education at least masters level online counseling degree in addiction counseling is prerequisite to find job good paying job. On the other hand degree holders can also start their private clinics. In order to work independently they also need state license and professional certification to serve their clients.

On the basis of primary role and responsibilities of qualified professional major jobs for professionals are subdivided in to following two categories.

• Intake Counselors
• Individual Counselors

Intake Counselors

Intake Counselors work as part of addiction recovery program. When a patient consults with any health care facility to avail services of a professional to get treatment for drug or alcohol addictions, group of professionals treat patients at different stages of treatment plan. At very first stage professional dealing with patients to diagnose and create initial treatment plan are called as Intake Counselor. They collect all essential primary data about patient and level of addiction to deliver it to other professionals belong to same treatment program.. This data help them to treat patients in efficient manner. Usually Intake Counselor delivers such data to other team members during an initial staff meeting.

Individual counselor

Addiction counselors also work as an Individual Counselor. This position requires state license and professional certificate to practice as a professional. Careers or job titles come under this category include family therapists, sexual abuse and anger management. Successful treatment plans for any kind of addiction requires professional therapists who are able to tackle mental consequences of addiction and capable to offer an efficient treatment plan that help patient’s family and friends to overcome addiction problem of patient. They also maintain complete record of individual client’s treatment process. They organize meetings with other group members to determine client’s progress.  In some cases individual counselors also work in coordination with doctors and nurses. That’s why a professional must be capable to communicate and work in coordination with other professionals.  

Some Important Employers for Addiction Counselors Possessing Online Counseling Degree

Following are some important employers that offer career jobs for online counseling degree holders in addiction counseling occupation. These employers mostly exist in government and primary sectors, community and social work organizations, health care and rehab units.

• Half-way houses
• Outpatient programs
• Adolescent treatment facilities
• Juvenile facilities
• Residential substance abuse facilities
• Hospitals
• Jails or prisons
• Prevention Specialist
• Homeless shelters

Conclusion

It is not an easy task to find a job, although potential employers exist in job market. One must have proper education or counseling degree via on-campus or <a href="http://knol.google.com/k/anna-adam/online-counseling-degree/nhpeg38tbmgl/15#">Online counseling degree</a> in addiction counseling. Once you have become qualified your chances of obtaining a rewarding career oriented job increase. However, several personality traits are also important to achieve good job in field. Excellent communication, listening and problem solving nature are considered as basic personality characteristics of an efficient professional.