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Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors - 21-1011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Addictions Counselor
  • Case Manager
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADAC)
  • Chemical Dependency Counselor (CD Counselor)
  • Chemical Dependency Professional
  • Clinical Counselor
  • Counselor
  • Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS)
  • Prevention Specialist
  • Substance Abuse Counselor (SA Counselor)

SOC Occupation Groups

21-0000 Community and Social Service Occupations
21-1000 Counselors, Social Workers, and Other Community and Social Service Specialists
21-1010 Counselors
21-1011.00 Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Act as liaisons between clients and medical staff.
  • Assess individuals' degree of drug dependency by collecting and analyzing urine samples.
  • Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
  • Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
  • Conduct chemical dependency program orientation sessions.
  • Confer with family members or others close to clients to keep them informed of treatment planning and progress.
  • Coordinate activities with courts, probation officers, community services, or other post-treatment agencies.
  • Coordinate counseling efforts with mental health professionals or other health professionals, such as doctors, nurses, or social workers.
  • Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
  • Counsel family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, and supporting clients or patients.
  • Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
  • Develop, implement, or evaluate public education, prevention, or health promotion programs, working in collaboration with organizations, institutions, or communities.
  • Follow progress of discharged patients to determine effectiveness of treatments.
  • Instruct others in program methods, procedures, or functions.
  • Intervene as an advocate for clients or patients to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
  • 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.
  • Modify treatment plans to comply with changes in client status.
  • Participate in case conferences or staff meetings.
  • Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
  • Provide clients or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.
  • Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
  • Supervise or direct other workers providing services to clients or patients.
  • Train or supervise student interns or new staff members.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer drug screening tests.
  • Advocate for individual or community needs.
  • Collaborate with other professionals to assess client needs or plan treatments.
  • Collaborate with other professionals to develop education or assistance programs.
  • Confer with family members to discuss client treatment plans or progress.
  • Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
  • Counsel family members of clients or patients.
  • Develop treatment plans for patients or clients.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of counseling or educational programs.
  • Intervene in crisis situations to assist clients.
  • Interview clients to gather information about their backgrounds, needs, or progress.
  • Maintain client records.
  • Maintain professional social services knowledge.
  • Modify treatment plans to accommodate client needs.
  • Monitor clients to evaluate treatment progress.
  • Plan programs to address community health issues.
  • Present social services program information to the public.
  • Refer clients to community or social service programs.
  • Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
  • Train staff members in social services skills.
  • Write reports or evaluations.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Behavioral Health Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Health Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Behavioral Sciences (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chaplain Specialist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Aviation Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Child and Adolescent Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Health Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Investigative Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychologist, Operational Psychologist (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Psychology (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Clinical Social Worker (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Command and Unit Chaplain (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Correctional Counselor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Correctional Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Service Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Nurse (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Mental Health Service (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mental Health Service Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Navv Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Drug and Alcohol Counselor Intern (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Navy Primary Prevention (PP) and Human Factors Process (HFP) Advanced Professional Development Train the Trainer Certification (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Nurse Corps Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Social Work (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Substance Abuse Control Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Supervisory Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Tactical Chaplain (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Substance Abuse Counselor