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Addictions Studies—Career
Opportunities
Nature
of Work
The
primary goal of this program is to give you an opportunity to develop the
skills and knowledge necessary to pursue and become a certified addictions
counselor in Illinois through the Illinois Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
Professional Certification Association (IAODAPCA) and related certification
entities.
An addictions counselor's
professional training and levels of clinical experience vary. Addictions
counselors provide alcohol and drug counseling and education by performing a
number of key functions, which may include the following:
a. Individual Counseling
b. Group Counseling
c. Intakes and Assessments
d. Client Education
e. Referrals
f. Case Management
g. Record Keeping
In addition, they will assist
other licensed professionals.
Related
Job Titles
Alcoholism Counselor, Addictions
Counselor, Intake Worker, Substance Abuse Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Counselor,
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Employment
Outlook
Median annual wages of substance abuse
and behavioral disorder counselors in May 2008 were $37,030. The middle 50
percent earned between $29,410 and $47,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less
than $24,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $59,460.
Employment of substance abuse and
behavioral disorder counselors is expected to grow by 21 percent, which is much
faster than the average for all occupations. As society becomes more
knowledgeable about addiction, more people are seeking treatment. Furthermore,
drug offenders are increasingly being sent to treatment programs rather than to
jail.
Source: Bureau of Labor
Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011
Edition, Counselors, on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos067.htm
(visited January 7, 2011).
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