About Substance Abuse Counselors

Substance abuse counselors are specially trained individuals that help addicts to cope with the triggers, traumas and various aspects of substance abuse. Substance abuse counselors may work at hospitals, rehab centers, outpatient treatment centers, correctional facilities, or mental health institutions. In the following pages you will find everything you need to know about substance abuse counselors and various counseling techniques that you may encounter along you way to a sober life.

Substance abuse counselors can help you through the recovery process.

What is a Substance Abuse Counselor?

Are you wondering what exactly a substance abuse counselor is? If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What is a substance abuse counselor?” or what types of training a substance abuse counselor may require, you can find it all here in one place. A substance abuse counselor provides specialized counseling for individuals who suffer from a range of addictions to drugs or alcohol. If you receive treatment for any type of substance abuse problem then you will surely encounter a substance abuse counselor along the way.

Substance Abuse Counseling Techniques

Understanding the no two people are the same, no two addictions are the same and therefore that there is no one size fits all counseling technique, substance abuse counselors employ various types of counseling to help individuals with various addictions, attitudes and individual needs. Substance abuse counselors recognize the need to employ different substance abuse counseling techniques to different people in an effort to provide effective counseling that will help addicts to maintain their sobriety.

Core Functions of a Substance Abuse Counselor

The core functions of substance abuse counseling are set standards that counselors use in their practice to assure accountability for their work with patients. The 12 core functions of a substance abuse counselor are not to be confused with the 12 step treatment programs that are often talked about in addiction counseling. Counselors use the core functions of counseling to assure that they provide every patient with an equal level of care and chance for a successful recovery from addiction.

Substance Abuse Counselor Qualifications

An understanding of what it takes to be a substance abuse counselor can provide you with a better understanding of the type of knowledge these people have and how that knowledge can help you make a full recovery from addiction. Although it is not a qualification by any means, many substance abuse counselors are past addicts themselves which means they already have a firm understanding of how addiction feels and also what recovery is like. Substance abuse counselor qualifications differ depending on the level of counseling and type of counseling that is provided but most often include a degree and past experience in dealing with substance abuse treatment.