Alcohol and Drug Counseling: Steps to Get an Alcohol and Drug Counseling Degree

One career that is rewarding and in high demand is a substance abuse counselor. You can become one by getting a alcohol and drug counseling degree. Here are the steps needed to be a counselor.

Every state is different, when it comes to becoming a substance abuse counselor. It is important to research the requirements in your state to find out the steps you will need to take. You will need to get an associates degree if you would like to work in this type of setting.

You can obtain an associates degree at your local community college. Make sure to research before enrolling, to see if that program is being offered there. If you already have a full time job that prevents you from attending college, you can obtain school online. This can also be beneficial to students who have a family who requires their full time attention. This way you can study around your daily routine, to obtain your associates degree.

After obtaining your certification, you can begin working in a supervised clinic or facility. In order to move up in your career, you will need to get a bachelors degree or even a masters degree. This degree can also be obtained online through an online course study. This will allow you to work as a substance abuse counselor under direct supervision while obtaining your degree.

One place that you can work once you are a counselor is in a hospital. You can help patients who have a problem with drugs and alcohol slowly make a recovery. You will be able to help them deal with their problems and learn to live a life free of drugs. Once you have your certification and degrees you will be able to administer treatment as needed.

You can also work in government facilities and schools to prevent the use of alcohol and drugs. In a school setting you can create programs that will motivate students to steer clear of gateway drugs. You can also have one on one interventions with at risk students. In order to be able to work with the school, you will need to have a bachelors and a masters degree as well as working experience.

As a counselor there are many ways that you can work directly with your patients to improve their lives. You might have one on one meetings with them. You might also do group counseling, by sitting with more than one patient at a time to talk about the substance abuse problem. Family intervention is another duty that you might do as a counselor. You will work with the patients family to figure out a solution to the problem. In a clinical setting you will also be able to administer treatment to help a patient recover from alcohol or even drug abuse.

Obtaining an alcohol and drug counseling degree can lead to a very rewarding career. You can help in the prevention and treatment of this type of self abuse. Aside from helping people recover and live a life free of alcohol and drugs, you will also be earning a steady income.

National University’s Alcohol and Drug Counseling Program – Associate of Science and Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling