Drug And Alcohol Counselor Job Analysis

Considering counseling as a career path was never an option or an interest for me. Nevertheless, upon the completion of an internship at the Renaissance Treatment Center, my areas of interest slightly shifted. The Renaissance Treatment Center is a place that address addiction and mental health issues that many individuals are facing. At this internship, my duties were to administer assessments, complete discharges, and co-facilitate individualized and group therapy sessions. The main thing that stood out and propelled my interest for counseling was the lack of cultural diversity. For each individual that walked into the building seeking help, the majority unfortunately were minorities from the African American culture. For me, this was very unfortunate. It made me wonder why this is so, and what led these individuals down this path. After many completed assessments, I realized that the lack of education, poverty, and living in war stricken communities were some of

They are trained to diagnose individuals provied that they have had years of supervised training in clinical work experience. To become a mental health counselor you need to obtain your bachelor’s degree followed by a Masters Degree in mental health counseling. It said by Bureau of Labor and Statistics that Mental Health Counselors in New York salary is about $41,700 on average yearly. Next you have Clinical Social Worker. A clinical Social Worker have the same job description and qualifications as an mental health counselor however they do more advocating and case management, most offten found in a hospital setting. In fact it is said by bureau labor and statistics that social workers that work in a hospital setting salary is about

When I decided to change my major from Criminal Justice to Human Services, I was surprised by the wide variety of the field. Human Services offers a variety of opportunities for a number of meaningful careers. The most common is social work, but other options include; community outreach, volunteer management, and counseling. My interest lies in the field of drug and alcohol rehabilitation. I would like to work as a drug and alcohol addiction counsel or an advocate.

I have wanted to be a counselor since my freshmen year of high school and in the counseling field there are many specialties that I can focus on. I am fairly certain that I want to specialize in helping people with substance abuse and their families. I have always focused my studies, interests, and work on things that will help me in this field and I have a lot of qualities that help to enhance me in my eventual career. There are difficulties when I get to practice also like what people perceive as correct counseling style, challenges with my gender and race, and finally creating my own counseling style and plans.

Many teenagers who had their first drink by the age of 15 is more likely to becoming addicted to alcohol than someone who starts drinking at the legal age of 21(cdc). Different teens drink for different reason, many teenagers are admitted into rehab for underage drinking. The ones that make it out that is, many teenagers who drink young and don’t get help die. Recently a 16 year old boy died from taking 24 shots at a party and no one wanted to take him to the hospital because of being scared of getting in trouble.

Although the documentary, Addiction, was made in 2007, it stated that addiction typically does not start after the age 30. Furthermore, the age addiction starts is between 18 and 25. I honestly feel that these numbers have a wider range now, perhaps closer to 15 and 30. In the documentary (n.d.), it also mentioned that the majority of alcoholics began drinking alcohol before the age 21.

When asked why I pursue a degree in counseling, several reasons come to mind. First and foremost, I desire a degree in counseling because I am fascinated with the field and would like to expand my knowledge further about the techniques of counseling. Secondly, I believe that counseling would be applicable as well as beneficial to the work I perform at my current place of employment. Currently, I work as a caseworker at the Diversion Work Release Center in Athens, Georgia. The Diversion Work Release Center is a community corrections program that houses adult male offenders through incarceration that are deemed low risk by the courts and suitable for reentry services as well as release into the local community to work.

There are many resources and organizations available for the professional development of counselors in all areas of specialization. The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) is a national organization that provides addiction counselors “…nationally-standardized certification, education, and clinical training to obtain the skills, qualifications, and experience that allow you to make progress in your career” (NAADAC, 2013). Their concern for professional development helps addiction counselors by giving them the tools to advance in their careers and continue to develop the personal skills necessary for working with clients struggling with drug, alcohol, and many other addictions. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is an international organization that offers “…a wealth of professional development opportunities, from its annual conference to its regularly scheduled webinars, from self-paced topic specialist training to one-day workshops” (ASCA, 2014). While both organizations offer education to the counseling professional,

The SALCE model processes assessment of a character’s substance use/abuse by way of analyzing a broad variety of behavior. This version simulates the techniques and tactics that might be hired inside the personal interview system. It focuses on, and examines, styles of client solutions as opposed to relying generally on the client answers to the SALCE assessment tool.

A career path which I am considering for my future is that of a substance abuse counselor. Substance abuse counselors provide assistance and therapy to clients wishing to stop their use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. I am considering this field because of my personal experience with substance abuse and a desire to help others towards recovery, as well. In order to further understand this occupation, an acquaintance who works in the field and who possesses a similar background agreed to meet with me to discuss her career.

The younger a person begins using alcohol, the greater chance of developing alcohol dependence or abuse some time in their life. Of those who begin drinking at the age of 18, about 17 percent are classified with alcohol dependency and about 8 percent with alcohol abuse. If a person waits until they are 21 before drinking alcohol, these risks decrease by over 60 percent. (Hall) The earlier a person begins using alcohol, the greater the risk of current and adult drug use and harm to the developing brain. (Hall)

What makes me happy is that I get to meet all kinds of people from all over and I get to help them and show them their classes.In support of this I get to choose my own hours if I'd choose this job.For instance, say that I had to leave early and my old job wouldn't let me, but this job would. Be much better for my personal needs and work related needs. Moreover, I'd enjoy getting more acquainted with them. Another example is, I wouldn't be doing the same thing over and over again, it wouldn't be a process. As you can see, that this job could fit your flexible schedule, and make me and you happier.

It also has many benefits, as counselors we help people to live sober, and more productive lives. Counselors become a part of that individual’s life who they learn to trust, confide in and are their support system through the term of their recovery. We are making a difference, by enriching their lives, their family’s lives, our lives, and improving our society all at the same time. To become an addiction counselor one must be committed, ethical, and stern, but also compassionate, and caring in it for the long haul. The reason I say this is because it’s a long process, stressful, and emotional for both the individual and the counselor. In reality no matter how good or educated we are, we sometimes cannot save

On careerprofiles.info, it reads that the minimal salary I can expect as a psychotherapist is $51,100, and the maximum I can expect is $76,000. This pay-range is ideal to me, because it is just enough that I need to support myself along with my ideal lifestyle. In order to determine where my salary will be located in this range, a list of factors pop-up, which all play a role in determining how and when I can expect a certain amount of income. These factors include things like: experience, location, industry, and education level. These factors are not too important to me, because it is only expected that a larger salary will come with more experience. On top of that, it also does not really influence me to change my location to a place where I can expect a greater pay-roll. Along with this great salary, there also comes great benefits. One benefit that can be found when working as a psychotherapist is, “You're able to set your own hours, come and go when you want and have ample vacation time” (careerprofiles.info). Just the thought of this is great, as this means that I can set my schedule to be at times that will be convenient for both me and my future patients. Together, with the salary and added benefits, another factor that should greatly be taken into account is my personal health. However, personal health is not

As stated by NIAAA, UNDERAGE DRINKING: A MAJOR PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGE, The younger you are when you start drinking, the greater your