Techniques To Achieve An Alcohol And Drug Counseling Degree
A rewarding career that you can look into when thinking of your future is a counselor. You are able to help people deal with their problems. Counselors will specialize in many different areas of peoples problems, one is drug and alcohol abuse. To become a counselor you will require a alcohol and drug counseling degree.
Every state is different, when it comes to becoming a substance abuse counselor. It is important to research the requirements in your state to find out the steps you will need to take. You will need to get an associates degree if you would like to work in this type of setting.
Community colleges offer associates degree programs that you can obtain. When you are searching for the right college to attend, be sure to check out their substance and alcohol program. For those students that work full time or have a family to care for, they can attend school online. There are many online schools that offer counseling degrees while allowing you to continue doing your daily tasks.
Once you have received your certification, you can start working in a clinic under the supervision of a counselor or doctor. If you want to work without close supervision or advance in your career, then you need to obtain a bachelors or even a masters degree. These can also be obtained online while still working at the clinic.
Other places that substance abuse counselors can work in is a hospital. In a hospital setting, you will be able to help patients deal with their abuse and help them start making a recovery. You will be in charge of helping them deal with their day to day problems. If you have the certifications, you may also be able to administer treatment.
Government facilities and schools are also places that a counselor can work in. While working in schools you will specialize in prevention. You will be in charge of creating programs that may help students stay away from any substance abuse. You may also need to do interventions for at risk students. A masters degree and experience, will be needed to work in a school setting as a counselor.
Being a counselor, allows you to work directly with your patients to improve their lives. You will help them cope with their problems and learn to face them without the aid of liquor or drugs. Some ways you will help your patients deal with this is by scheduling one on one meetings. You might also be in charge of group meetings. In a group meeting you will sit with more than one patient at a time to talk about their problems. Family intervention is another form of reaching out to patients by acquiring the help of their family members.
A alcohol and drug counseling degree can provide you with a very rewarding career. You will be able to help people change their lives around and live drug free. You will also be earning good income while helping others.
An alcohol and drug counseling degree makes it possible to participate in one of the growing career markets expected over the upcoming decade. Online and on campus options are available to enroll in an alcohol and drug counseling degree program.