Key takeaways
- Substance abuse counseling is a growing field as the number of drug overdose-related deaths has risen dramatically since 2002.
- If you want to become a professional in the field, you can pursue a substance abuse counseling certification and license after pursuing a formal education in the field.
- You can pursue a degree in the field at an associate, bachelor, master’s, or doctoral level.
- A bachelor’s degree in the field features a curriculum in psychology, social sciences, cultural studies, familial relations, pharmacology, and more.
- University of Central Arkansas, Grand Canyon University, University of Houston Clear Lake, and others offer a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling on campus.
- Southern New Hampshire University, Texas Tech University, and Purdue Global University are some of the best online schools for substance abuse counseling.
- The job growth rate for substance abuse counselors, behavioral health, and mental health counselors is 19%, which is 15% higher than the national average for all occupations.
- in 2023, there were 17,353 substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States, with the highest number being in California.
Substance abuse counseling is an in-demand field as the need for qualified counselors and therapists is ever-growing in the United States. The rate of drug overdose-related deaths in the US rose from 8.2 deaths per 100,000 to 32.6 per 100,000 between 2002 and 2022, as per a report published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). If you want to pursue a career-changing life for the better and prevent tragic death, this is the field for you.
In this degree guide, we discuss the program in detail, list colleges offering a degree in the field, and provide details on available career opportunities.
What is substance abuse counseling?
Substance abuse counseling is the provision of expert medical care and treatment to patients suffering from a substance abuse disorder, more commonly known as an SUD. A SUD is a mental illness that leads to a person’s inability to control their consumption of a range of legal and illegal substances, drugs, or alcohol. These substances range from everyday items such as caffeine to alcohol, psychedelics, marijuana, and more.
However, it is important to note that abuse is not the same as addiction. Abuse is the misuse or overuse of any kind of drug or substance, whereas addiction is the compulsive use of those substances despite negative consequences. Regular or continuous substance abuse can lead to addiction, which is what substance abuse counselors prevent and treat.
Experts at the National Institute of Mental Health highlight that a significant number of patients with an SUD also suffer from other forms of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and so on. Even though there is no scientific evidence to support claims that one causes the other, it is highly likely that the treatment will have to be multifaceted.
Thus, if you aspire to become a substance abuse counselor, you will need to pursue a formal education in the field. Only through a proper college education and professional training can you become a certified counselor able to treat SUDs and help addicts improve their lives.
What does a substance abuse counseling degree entail?
A substance abuse counseling degree or an addiction counseling degree features a curriculum heavy in applied psychological sciences with a concentration in addiction or substance abuse. Through the program, you will learn the many different types of substance abuse disorders and the psychology that drives addictive behavior. Here, you will learn how to assess, diagnose, and create treatment plans for patients.
The curriculum of a substance abuse counseling program can either be very comprehensive or just touch upon foundational topics, depending on which program you enroll in. You can pursue a degree in the field at varying levels, from an associate all the way to a PhD.
Associate degree
An associate degree is a two-year program featuring a foundational curriculum in the field of substance abuse counseling. Here, you can expect to develop a basic understanding of the field and acquire skills needed for assistant-level roles.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program featuring a comprehensive curriculum in substance abuse counseling. Here, you can expect to take a blend of theoretical classes and hands-on learning opportunities to develop a holistic skill set needed for the professional setting. However, you will need additional on-the-job training, and counseling is a very hands-on field where you will learn as much on the job as you will in the classroom.
Masters degree
A master’s degree lasts between 1 to 3 years, depending on the program. Though you need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to obtain jobs in the field, an advanced degree can significantly expand career prospects and enhance eligibility. It also allows professionals to build on existing knowledge to develop extended expertise in a niche.
PhD in counseling
A PhD in substance abuse counseling can lead to career opportunities in academia, research, and counseling. Whether you want to be able to teach the subject, lead research, or continue counseling, this program is the ideal choice for you. With a PhD, you become an expert in the field as you will develop knowledge of every aspect of substance abuse counseling.
Bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling – Program details
At the undergraduate level, a bachelor’s degree is the ideal entry-level qualification for aspiring substance abuse counselors. Not only is it the minimum required education to become a counselor, but it also leads to higher-paying opportunities and lower unemployment levels, according to a report by the United Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Colleges and universities in the US offer either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Substance Abuse Counseling. A bachelor of arts offers more flexibility and features courses in the arts and humanities, social sciences, culture studies, and so on. In comparison, a BS program is more technical, featuring courses in natural science and mathematics in the general education section.
Typical program curriculum
Though there may be slight differences in the general education or university core section, the major core requirements generally cover the same topics. You can expect to take courses in psychology, human behavior, assessment techniques, treatments, and more. Additionally, you can choose relevant electives to expand your knowledge base in an area of your interest.
Major-specific courses
Here are some courses you can expect to come across in the major-specific section of your program:
- Introduction to Counseling and Psychotherapy
- General Psychology
- Introduction to Chemical Dependency
- Addiction Group Counseling
- Psychopharmacology
- Psychological Disorders
- Advanced Techniques in Substance Abuse Treatments
- Ethics in Addiction Counseling
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Co-occurring Disorders and HIV/AIDS
- Spirituality and Addiction
- Process Addictions
- Trauma, Addiction, and Substance Abuse Disorders
- Relapse Prevention in the Treatment of Addiction and Substance Use Disorders
Electives
The range of electives available to you will vary depending on the college and faculty expertise. Moreover, the ones that interest you will depend on your personal preferences and career aspirations. Here are some courses you can expect to come across in the electives category.
- Introduction to Corrections
- Health Psychology
- Psychology of Women
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Combat Trauma
- Sociology of Dating, Relationships, and Marriage
- Community Outreach, Prevention and Intervention
Admission requirements
The admission requirements for a bachelor’s program vary by college, program type, prior qualifications, state regulations, and so on. Students applying after high school graduation will have to submit different materials and fulfill different criteria than those applying after obtaining an associate degree or a bachelor’s program.
The admission requirements for high school graduates can include:
- Submission of a completed college application form
- Submission of the college application fees
- High school diploma
- Official high school transcripts – additional requirements can include minimum GPA-specific subject requirements.
- Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) – additional requirements can include specific subject scores.
- Recommendation letters – 2 to 3
- College essay
Associate degree holders will have to fulfill the following admission requirements.
- Submission of a completed college application form
- Submission of the college application fees
- Associate degree transcripts
- Possession of 60 transferable credits
- Recommendation letters – 2 to 3
- College essay
Additionally, international students will have to submit language testing scores. It is also important to note that those pursuing substance abuse counseling as a second bachelor will have to check in with the admissions office to determine the admission requirements they need to fulfill.
Graduation requirements
A typical bachelor’s degree features 120 to 135 credit hours. In the case of a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling, these credit hours are divided between theoretical courses and hands-on learning opportunities. Fieldwork is extremely important in the field of substance abuse counseling as students apply what they learn to become professionals.
Graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse and counseling include:
- Completion of required credit hours as distributed between general education, major-specific, electives, and fieldwork.
- Submission of completed assignments
- Completion of internship
- Completion of capstone project
- Minimum GPA/course in each grade – CGPA of 2.0-2.5 or a minimum Grade C in each course (depends on college)
Colleges offering a substance abuse counseling degree
Finding the right college can prove challenging and tiring. Toward the end of your high school, you will not only be juggling exams, final goodbyes, last minute assignment and project submissions. Add to that the stress of finding the right college, filling out the application, arranging all documents, and writing the college essay can all prove to be too much. To make the college planning process easier, here is a list of colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in the field.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Ohio Christian University | 65% | 14% | $23,700 |
| University of St. Francis | 58% | 75% | $37,000 |
| Grand Canyon University | 78% | 47% | $17,450 |
| University of Houston Clear Lake | 69% | 62% | $7,746 in-state
$21,330 out-of-state |
| University of Central Arkansas | 91% | 43% | $10,118 in-state
$17,258 out-of-state |
Colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling online
If you are looking for convenience, affordability, and flexibility, here are some of the best online schools for substance abuse counseling.
| College | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| University of Cincinnati | 86% | 71% | $13,570 in-state
$30,582 out-of-state |
| Southern New Hampshire University | 96% | 39% | $16,450 |
| Arizona State University | 90% | 66% | $12,051 in-state
$32,193 out-of-state |
| Texas Tech University | 67% | 62% | $11,852 in-state
$24,451 out-of-state |
| Purdue Global University | 100% | 20% | $13,356 |
Is an online substance abuse counseling degree worth it?
Pursuing an online substance abuse counseling degree presents a number of benefits, because of which the program has become increasingly popular over the last few years. However, whether it is worth it or the right choice for you or not depends on your personal preferences, situation, and more. Whether you commit to an online program or an on-campus one, make sure you go through the pros and cons of each to determine which seems like the better option. And if you can’t decide between the two, there are always hybrid programs.
Advantages of attending an online substance abuse counseling school
Attending an online substance abuse degree can prove beneficial for international students or students who need to travel. The distance education program removes geographical barriers. International students don’t have to worry about the formalities and legalities needed to move across borders.
Additionally, students save a significant amount of time and money when attending an online program. International or out-of-state or out-of-city students don’t have to account for accommodation, commute, utilities, and other costs. Moreover, the time saved by not having to commute can be better spent pursuing formal employment or other opportunities and hobbies.
Lastly, students enrolled in an asynchronous program are in charge of their own learning curriculum, which can teach them discipline and time management. Those in a synchronous program also enjoy the convenience and a certain extent of ease in their schedule with the additional time saved by not having to commute.
Disadvantages of attending an online substance abuse counseling degree
However, there are always two sides to a coin. An online program can prove to be isolating, and the lack of social interaction or real-time teacher-to-student interaction can present many challenges. Additionally, time and schedule management is not as easy as it looks, and those who are easily distracted can suffer from the lack of discipline and classroom learning environment.
Another major disadvantage of an online substance abuse program is the lack of support from on-campus resources. Be it industry networking opportunities or technical support, you will have to tackle all the challenges yourself. In this case, it also means arranging for and securing internships and fieldwork opportunities.
Substance abuse counseling jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree
There are several career opportunities you can explore with a substance abuse counseling degree. Here are a few you can explore, as well as the average annual salary you can expect to earn.
| Job title | Average salary |
| Addiction Specialist | $87,913 |
| Substance Abuse Counselor | $66,880 |
| Probation Officer | $61,800 |
| Crisis Intervention Specialist | $55,681 |
| Community Services Worker | $39,271 |
| Mental Health Professional | $70,602 |
| Parole Officer | $59,878 |
| Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist | $57,195 |
Substance abuse counseling industry overview and hiring trends
The demand for substance abuse counselors has been steadily on the rise as the number of deaths related to drug abuse has also risen. From 2002 to 2022, the number of overdose-related deaths per 100,000 has risen from 8.2 to 32.6. Even though the number of deaths has dropped between 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the need for qualified professionals exists.
The average job growth rate for careers in substance abuse, behavioral health, and mental health disorders is 19%, which is significantly higher than that of the national average for all occupations of 4%. In 2023, there were 449,800 jobs in the field, and a further 48,900 jobs are expected to be created each year.
As of 2023, there are 17,561 substance abuse treatment facilities in the United States, as per a report by Statista. Out of all US states, California has the highest number of substance abuse treatment facilities with New York and Ohio following closely.
According to a report by Motor Intelligence, the substance abuse treatment market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.40% from 2025 to 2030. The report also highlights that the Asia Pacific market has the highest growth rate showcasing incredible potential for substance abuse counselors.
However, a bachelor’s degree alone is not enough to become a substance abuse counselor. The average preferred qualification, especially for those wanting to pursue counseling as a profession, is that you need at least a master’s degree in the field, and you will have to obtain a license to practice counseling.
What are the 12 core functions of substance abuse counseling?
Addiction counseling is a broad and important field. The number of children and adults swaying toward substance abuse disorders is growing and has been growing steadily over a decade. There can be various reasons behind the increase in abusive disorders and it is the job of a substance abuse counselor to identify the underlying reasons that push someone toward substance abuse.
The 12 core functions of substance abuse counseling serve as a guideline for efficient and effective treatment of different types of disorders.
12 core functions of substance abuse counseling
The functions namely are:
- Screening – here counselors evaluate a patient’s mental and physical health before starting a rehabilitation program.
- Intake – During the intake phase, counselors explain the entire process to the patients and their guardians to make sure they are well-informed.
- Orientation – Here the client gets a tour of the facility to learn about the rehabilitation program and see the areas they will be residing in.
- Assessment – The assessment area is where the doctor evaluates the patient’s condition and learns about their condition, family life, relationships, past, and present, and more.
- Treatment Planning – Here the client and the counselor will plan the treatment, decide the treatment pace, and set clear goals and expectations.
- Counseling – During this phase, the counselor conducts therapy sessions to start helping the patient on their recovery journey.
- Case Management – A counselor has to provide regular reports to mental health professionals and other supporting professionals to ensure the progress is on track and there are no biases in the treatment.
- Crisis Intervention – If anything is going awry, it is fixed in the crisis intervention stage.
- Client Education – Here the clients are educated on the harmful effects of substance abuse and provide a guide for the future.
- Referral – The client is referred to another professional who can undertake regular sessions to ensure they are on track and don’t fall into abusive patterns again.
- Report & Record Keeping – The entire treatment and its process are documented to ensure transparency and make it easier for future counselors or doctors to keep track of progress.
- Consultation with Other Professionals – Depending on the program, a patient may need to have regular consultations with other professionals either during or after rehabilitation.
Are there scholarships for students going into substance abuse counseling?
Yes, there are several scholarships for students going into substance abuse counseling. If you are interested in pursuing a career in the field, you can explore scholarships offered by the Addiction Center, Substanceabusecounselor.org, the Association of American Medical Colleges, and more.
What can I do with a degree in substance abuse counseling?
With a degree in substance abuse counseling, you can pursue a career as a substance abuse counselor, a behavioral health therapist, a social worker, a community service worker, and many more. You can view a list of available career opportunities in the career section of this guide. Do keep in mind, that you will need to pursue substance abuse certification, an advanced degree in the field, and obtain a license to practice counseling professionally.
Become an industry expert with the right degree in substance abuse counseling!
A bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling is the ideal entry point into the industry for aspiring professionals. To succeed as a substance abuse counselor, you need the right qualifications, the right skill set, and relevant industry experience. If you are passionate about helping people improve the quality of their lives, this is a great field to pursue.
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