Occupation · SOC 21-1011
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Median wage
$57,480
$37,830–$96,620
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
2,477,920
Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
276 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessWritingReading ComprehensionMonitoringPersuasion
Knowledge areas
Therapy and CounselingPsychologyEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Medical softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.Interview clients, review records, and confer with other professionals to evaluate individuals' mental and physical condition and to determine their suitability for participation in a specific program.Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client intake records and session documentation — complete accurately under clinical supervision using electronic medical record software in a community behavioral health setting.Individual counseling sessions — conduct introductory interactions under direct supervision to begin building therapeutic rapport with clients presenting substance use disorders.Urine sample collection procedures — follow established protocols under supervisor guidance to assess clients' degree of drug dependency in a certified treatment facility.Chemical dependency orientation sessions — co-facilitate structured group presentations under licensed clinician oversight to introduce new clients to program expectations.Treatment plan templates — review and populate standardized fields under supervision using client histories gathered during intake assessment in an inpatient or outpatient setting.Client progress indicators — monitor and document observable behavioral changes against baseline goals as directed by senior counselors during weekly case reviews.Community referral resources — identify and compile relevant post-treatment agency contacts under guidance to support discharge planning for assigned clients.Active listening techniques — apply foundational reflective listening skills under supervision during individual sessions to demonstrate empathy and build initial therapeutic alliance.Electronic health record and scheduling software — navigate and maintain appointment calendars and session notes under direction to support administrative continuity of care.Regulatory and ethical standards — recognize and follow applicable state licensure requirements and HIPAA guidelines under direct oversight during all client service activities.
developing
Client progress reports and treatment records — prepare and maintain comprehensive documentation routinely and independently using electronic medical record systems in compliance with program standards.Individual and group counseling sessions — facilitate structured therapeutic interventions with reduced oversight to assist clients in overcoming dependencies and adjusting to life transitions.Urinalysis results and toxicology data — collect, analyze, and interpret findings to inform clinical decision-making during ongoing client assessment in a licensed treatment facility.Discharged client follow-up contacts — conduct scheduled outreach and evaluate self-reported outcomes to determine treatment effectiveness across a defined post-discharge period.Chemical dependency orientation curricula — deliver program orientation sessions independently to newly admitted clients, adapting content to diverse literacy and cultural backgrounds.Individualized treatment plans — develop evidence-based care plans by synthesizing clinical experience, research literature, and client biopsychosocial histories in outpatient or residential contexts.Client goal attainment benchmarks — review measurable progress indicators and adjust care plan objectives in routine clinical supervision meetings with multidisciplinary team members.Probation officers and court systems — coordinate client compliance reporting and service linkage with justice-involved agencies in community corrections or drug court environments.Complex Problem Solving and critical thinking skills — apply structured clinical reasoning to identify and address co-occurring mental health and substance use presentations in familiar caseloads.Psychoeducational group curricula — design and lead evidence-based skill-building groups on relapse prevention and coping strategies for clients in structured treatment programs.
proficient
Comprehensive client case records — oversee accurate, autonomous documentation of complex multi-episode treatment histories using integrated health information systems across inpatient and outpatient settings.Individualized and group therapeutic modalities — deliver a full spectrum of counseling interventions autonomously, including motivational interviewing and CBT, for clients with severe or chronic substance use disorders.Biopsychosocial assessment protocols — conduct independent, holistic evaluations integrating urinalysis, psychiatric history, and social determinants to formulate differential diagnoses in high-acuity treatment environments.Longitudinal treatment outcome tracking — design and implement systematic follow-up frameworks to analyze post-discharge recovery trajectories and apply findings to continuous program improvement.Non-routine client crises and ethical dilemmas — resolve complex clinical and ethical challenges autonomously, applying professional judgment grounded in established codes of ethics and risk-management principles.Multidisciplinary care coordination — lead cross-agency collaboration with courts, probation, community services, and healthcare providers to construct seamless continua of care for justice-involved clients.Individualized treatment plan refinement — revise and update evidence-based plans autonomously based on evolving client needs, emerging research, and measurable goal attainment across full case scope.Inductive and deductive clinical reasoning — synthesize qualitative and quantitative client data to identify systemic behavioral patterns and translate insights into actionable therapeutic strategies.Systems analysis of care delivery — evaluate program-level service gaps and client flow inefficiencies using analytical software and apply findings to enhance clinical operations within the organization.Advanced psychopharmacology and co-occurring disorder knowledge — integrate understanding of medication-assisted treatment protocols into counseling practice to address complex substance use and mental health comorbidities.
advanced
Organizational treatment philosophy and clinical standards — establish, articulate, and champion evidence-based frameworks that define the strategic direction of substance use disorder services across a large healthcare or social service enterprise.Clinical supervision and professional development — design and lead formal mentorship and supervision structures that build counseling competency in emerging and developing practitioners across multiple program sites.Program-wide documentation and quality assurance systems — direct the development and continuous evaluation of health record policies and outcome measurement infrastructure to ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity.Institutional partnerships with courts, corrections, and community agencies — negotiate and govern formal interagency agreements that shape coordinated service delivery ecosystems for high-risk populations at a regional or statewide level.Population-level treatment outcome evaluation — lead systemic analysis of longitudinal data using advanced analytical and scientific software to inform policy recommendations and funding priorities for behavioral health programs.Workforce training curricula and certification pathways — architect comprehensive training programs aligned with national credentialing standards to elevate the professional capacity of the counseling workforce across the organization.Chemical dependency program design and accreditation — direct the creation, implementation, and accreditation of new service lines, including orientation, detox, and aftercare components, within complex regulatory environments.Organizational budget and resource allocation strategy — lead financial planning and resource prioritization decisions that sustain and expand evidence-based substance use and behavioral disorder services at scale.Ethical leadership and organizational integrity — model and enforce the highest standards of clinical ethics, empathy, and social responsibility, establishing a culture of trust and accountability across all levels of the organization.Public advocacy and systems-level policy influence — represent the organization and profession in legislative, regulatory, and community forums to advance equitable, evidence-informed behavioral health policy at the local, state, or national level.
Also known as
122 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Residential Substance Abuse CounselorClinical Psychologist (Air Force 42P4)Group CounselorClinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist (Air Force 42P1E)Social Work (Army 73A)Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist (Air Force 42P3C)Behavioral AnalystBehavioral ClinicianNurse Corps Officer (Army 66)Drug and Alcohol TherapistLicensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)Clinical CounselorTreatment CounselorMental Health Nurse (Air Force 46P4)Drug Abuse TechnicianChaplain Specialist (Navy 3725)Addiction Recovery SpecialistPrevention SpecialistMental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force 4C051)Direct Care CounselorLicensed ClinicianBehavior Technician (Behavior Tech)Mental Health Service Manager (Air Force 4C000)Substance Abuse Prevention CoordinatorSubstance Abuse Control Specialist (Marine Corps 0149)Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor (ADAC)Mental Health Nurse (Air Force 46PX)Clinical Psychologist, Investigative Psychologist (Air Force 42P3F)Clinical Psychologist, Investigative Psychologist (Air Force 42P1F)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42SX)Alcoholic CounselorClinical Social Worker (Navy 0868)Assessment SpecialistNavy Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy 810C)Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Air Force 42P1A)Mental Health Nurse (Air Force 46P1)Clinical Social Worker (Air Force 42S3)Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist (Air Force 42P1D)Clinical Psychologist (Navy 0851)Chaplain (Air Force 52R3)