If you wish to become a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and do not already have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree, this is the degree plan for you.
Successful addictions counselors feel strongly about helping people. They are patient, empathetic, and stable. When chemical dependencies damage people’s lives, professional counselors help find a path to recovery.
They work one-on-one with patients or in groups to identify negative behaviors and establish healthy habits. As part of a treatment team that includes social workers, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals, addictions counselors work in outpatient and inpatient settings and may interact with affected family members.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives a snapshot of the outlook for the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor (LCDC):
- 2012 Median Pay $38,520 per year; $18.52 per hour
- Entry-level education = Associates Degree
- Number of jobs, 2012 = 89,600
- Job Outlook, 2012 – 2022 = 31% (much faster than average, the average growth rate for all occupations is 11 percent)
- Employment Change 2012 – 2022 = 28,200 (the projected numeric change in employment from 2012-2022)
- Work environment = LCDC counselors work in a wide variety of settings, such as treatment centers, community health centers, prisons, and private practice. Most work full time.
