Drug addiction counselors help people manage and treat addiction, often with a degree in psychology, sociology, public health, or medicine. They analyze addiction, provide therapy, and work with treatment centers, rehab centers, and the justice system.
A drug addiction counselor is a professional who helps people manage and treat drug or alcohol addiction. Most have studied extensively, passed exams and met licensure requirements to work in this difficult field. An addiction counselor can perform many jobs while treating a patient; they frequently work with addicts in all stages, from the grips of drugs to those who have been in recovery for years.
Many drug counselors have a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field from a university. Typically, they study psychology, sociology, public health, or medicine. Some regions also allow drug consultants to practice if they have completed a trade school or specialized training course in addiction therapy. It is important to study a region’s licensing guidelines and legal practice carefully, as they can vary widely. Check with guidance counselors each semester or quarter to ensure requirements are met and the right courses are taken.
Part of the job an addiction counselor does is analytical. They try to determine whether an addiction is present and how best to treat the condition. A background in psychology can be extremely helpful for an addiction counselor, as people respond to drug treatment to varying degrees. An addict who is still actively taking drugs may lie about their use; addiction counselors must be adept at reading people and situations.
An addiction counselor can provide some type of therapy to addicts, friends and family. Addiction is a many-headed animal that can cause depression, anxiety, and even new addictions, not just in the primary patient, but in other family members as well. Counselors are adept at seeing not just the forest but the trees; One goal of addiction treatment is to create a healthy living and social environment for the addict that will make relapse less likely.
Some addiction counselors work with treatment centers or rehab centers. In this work, a counselor may have individual patients or conduct group therapy sessions with recovering addicts. They often help addicts develop goals and plans for the future in order to build a healthier, post-rehab lifestyle.
A drug addiction counselor may also work closely with the justice system in various capacities. They may be asked to evaluate a potential addict as part of a trial or to be involved in the treatment of addicts who must attend counseling due to a court order or judgment. As these patients are not always willing participants, working in this arena is often considered extremely difficult.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
